82 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



plumage is of a beautiful black, tinged with blue, of very rich 

 appearance, and bearing a brilliant gloss. The legs are black, 

 and usually heavily feathered. The specimens represented 

 above are unusually so. The wattles are of good size in the 

 cock, while those of the hen are slightly less. The flesh is fine, 

 of white color, and excellent flavor. The eggs are large and 

 delicate, the shell is thicker than in those of other fowls, 

 and are much prized for their good qualities. 



This excellent breed has never been described, to my knowl- 

 edge ; and, as it appears below they have been some time in the 

 country, this fact is somewhat extraordinary. They possess all 

 the characteristics of a perfect breed, and in breeding them this 

 is demonstrated by the uniform aspect which is observable in 

 their descendants. No surer proof of the purity of a race can 

 be demanded. The only objection which I have discovered in 

 them is the tenderness of the chickens ; but with a degree of care 

 equal to their value, this difficulty can be surmounted, and they 

 may be raised. In time to come, when this breed shall be better 

 known, they will be eagerly sought after, and highly appre- 

 ciated by all who have a taste for beauty, and who desire fine 

 flesh and luscious eggs. 



I am indebted to Mr. II. L. Devereux, of Boston, for the 

 following account of the original importation of this breed, and 

 a description of those in his possession. 



" The Guelderland fowls were imported from the north of 

 Holland, some years since, by Captain John Devereux, of 

 Marblehead, in the ship Dromo ; and since that time have been 

 bred purely by him, at his place in that town. They are sup- 

 posed to have originated in the north of Holland. They are 

 clad in a beautiful blue-black plumage, but the flesh is white, 

 tender and juicy. They have no comb, but a small, indented, 

 hard, bony substance instead, and large red wattles. They are 

 of good size, great layers, seldom inclining to sit ; bright, 





