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THE POULTRY-BOOK 



THE BAVARIAN FOWL. 



This portrait is from life, and is an accurate likeness of a 

 hen of this breed. The plumage of this fowl is jet black, and 

 they have also black legs, frequently feathered heavily. Both 

 cocks and hens are muffled, with a heavy "imperial," or 

 "goat-beard," under the throat, and usually quite a crest, or 

 top-knot, much resembling, in all these respects, the Golden 

 Pheasant; with this difference, however, that the crest of the 

 Bavarian is smaller, and the imperial larger, the muffler being 

 about the same in both breeds. Tails and wings longer than 

 most of the large breeds, excepting the Dorkings. 



The eggs are usually large, white and well-flavored. They 

 are among the very best layers, and are good sitters, and careful 

 nurses. All things considered, perhaps these fowls have few, 

 if any, superiors. The weight is generally from five to eight 

 pounds. They come to maturity very early, are more hardy 

 than either of the two preceding varieties, and the chickens are 

 very easily raised. Although I esteem the Guelderland and the 

 Spanish fowls as pure breeds, and excellent in all respects, yet 

 I prefer these, especially on account of the size of their eggs. 



Occasionally one of this breed, of perfectly pure blood, may 

 be seen entirely destitute of a crest, with a large muffler, small 

 imperial, and lightly feathered legs. Those with these marks 

 are usually the best, actually being larger and better layers. 



