CAPONIZING. 233 



higher degree of perfection. When we see her come into the 

 poultry-yard, surrounded by her little ones, for the first time, 

 she seems as if she was proud of her new dignity, and took a 

 pleasure in performing her duty. Her eyes are lively, ani- 

 mated, and constantly on the alert ; her looks are so quick and 

 rapid, that she could take in every object at one glance ; and 

 she appears to discover at once the smallest seed on the ground, 

 which she points out to her young ones ; and, in the clouds, 

 the bird of prey she dreads for their sake ; and giving them 

 notice by a doleful cry, she induces them immediately to hide 

 themselves under her protecting wings. 



Incessantly taken up with the welfare of her chickens, she 

 excites them to follow her, and to eat. She picks their food ; 

 she scratches the ground in search of worms, which she gives 

 up to them ; she stops now and then, she squats down, and form- 

 ing a cradle as it were with her wings, she invites her tender 

 offspring to come and gather round, and warm themselves 

 beneath her. She continues to bestow these cares on them till 

 they are of no further use to them, which takes place when 

 the chickens are quite feathered, and when they are come to 

 half the size they are to grow to." 



CHAPTER XIV. 



CAPONIZING. 



CAPONS have ever been esteemed among the greatest deli- 

 cacies of the table ; and though, from Shakspeare's time, cer- 

 tain characters have been known by their " fair round belly 

 with good capon lined," they are, comparatively, a recent lux- 

 ury in this country. The capon is made by the extirpation of 

 the reproductive organs in male fowls. If a cock, when 

 20* 



