FRENCH BREEDfl. 185 



locality they are most prolific layers, never wanting to ait, and 

 the flesh is remarkably good. They appear also peculiarly 

 susceptible of attachment to their feeders. And lastly, they 

 suffer remarkably little in appearance or condition from 

 exhibition or confinement. 



Their great fault is a peculiar tendency to cold and roup 

 the white-crested black variety being the most delicate of all 

 The dense crest becomes during a shower saturated with water, 

 and the fowls are thus attacked in the most vital part. No 

 birds are so affected by bad weather. In exposed or damp 

 situations they will die off like rotting sheep, and it is hope- 

 less to expect any return. They can only be kept success- 

 fully in warm, genial situations, on well-drained ground, with 

 a chalk or sand sub-soil, and with ample shelter to which 

 they can resort during showers. In such circumstances they 

 will do well, and repay the owners by an ample supply of 

 eggs. Closely confined in a dry shed they also do well, if only 

 kept rigidly clean and free from vermin. 



Mr. Hewitt cautions Polish breeders against attempting to 

 seize their birds suddenly. The crest so obscures their vision 

 that they are taken by surprise, and frequently so terrified aa 

 to die in the hand. They should, therefore, always be first 

 spoken to, or otherwise made aware of their owner's approach. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



FRENCH BREEDS. 



SEVERAL remarkable breeds of fowls have been introduced into 

 England from France, which it will be convenient to describe 

 in one chapter. They all deserve the careful attention of the 

 mercantile poultry breeder, possessing as they do in a very 

 high degree the important points of great weight and excellent 

 quality of flesh, with a remarkably small proportion of bones 

 and offal. These characteristics our neighbours have assidu- 



