44 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



So far as my observation goes, the best specimens of the 

 varieties of south-eastern fowls have, in a good degree, the same 

 peculiarities of wing, perhaps owing to crossing previously or 

 subsequently to importation, or because they are all from a 

 common stock. 



Size. There is considerable disproportion, as is the case 

 with all thorough-bred fowls, between the size of the cocks 

 and the hens. I have a choice cock, above the ordinary average, 

 which, when full grown and in condition, will weigh down 

 some thirteen or fourteen pounds. I have also a few pullets, 

 equally as pure blood, but which will not exceed nine pounds. 

 A fair average weight, for fowls of this variety, as usually bred 

 by farmers, might be set down at from seventeen to twenty 

 pounds per pair. 



When the London Illustrated News appeared, containing 

 portraits of the queen's variety, I was surprised to find her 

 poultry-keeper, or more probably some penny-a-liner, stumping 

 on the fact that she had pullets that weighed seven pounds ; 

 while at the same time I had hens which weighed over eleven 

 pounds, and several pullets over eight pounds ! I make the 

 fowl, so far as I take an interest in poultry, my Magnus Apollo, 

 and I have every reason to be satisfied with it. If I desired to 

 raise the largest kind of fowls, I know of none I would prefer 

 to Chittagong hens and Cochin China cocks. From the product 

 of such, capons might be produced ' as is capons.' " 



