ON BREEDING FOWLS. 193 



The general opinion of breeders, with regard to these three 

 sorts, is, that the first is more prolific in the number of eggs, 

 while the others produce larger chickens, which bring good 

 prices. 



" In the choice of a hen for sitting," says Richardson,' 

 " look for a large bird, with large, wide-spreading wings. 

 Though large, however, she must not be heavy, nor leggy. 

 No one of any judgment would sit a Malay, as, in such case, 

 not only would many eggs remain uncovered, but many, also, 

 would be trampled upon and broken. Elderly hens will be 

 found more willing to sit than young and giddy pullets ; 

 indeed, the latter should never be allowed to sit, until, at least, 

 the second year of their laying. 



The Spanish fowl are not generally good sitters ; but they 

 are excellent layers. The Dorking reverse the order, being 

 better sitters than layers ; and these qualities will also be found 

 to extend pretty generally to hens partaking of the prevailing 

 colors of these two varieties, the black being usually ijie best 

 layers, and but careless or indifferent sitters, while gray or 

 checkered hens (especially such as have light-colored legs) are 

 the best you can procure." 



CHAPTER XL 



ON BREEDING FOWLS. 



IN all works treating of poultry which have fallen under 

 our observation, there is a lamentable deficiency in information 

 respecting the important subject of breeding. When the topic 

 is touched upon, amid meagre details and questionable princi- 

 ples, there is a loose and indefinite use of terms, which serves 

 only to distract and confuse the inquirer. No doubt, much of 

 17 



