CRAVES. LA FLECHE. 187 



by seeking first the useful qualities, and it is be}nd doubt that 

 the rigid application to them of our artificial canons has 

 seriously deteriorated the breed in practical value. A large 

 globular crest seems the chief point in English judging, whereas 

 the French were content with much more moderate develop- 

 ment in this particular, and looked more to the body and 

 general size and shape of that 



The merits of the Creve consist in its edible qualities, early 

 maturity, the facility with which it can be both kept and 

 reared in confinement, and the fine large size of its eggs. The 

 hen is, however, only a moderate layer, and the eggs are often 

 sterile, while the breed is rather delicate in this country, being 

 subject to roup, gapes, and throat diseases. This delicacy of 

 constitution appears to improve somewhat as the fowls are 

 acclimatised and less in-bred. Altogether, we do not recom- 

 mend the Creve as a good breed for general domestic purposes ; 

 but it is certainly a splendid fowl for either table or market, 

 and as such, especially on a large scale, in favourable localities, 

 will repay the breeder. 



LA FLECHE. In appearance this breed resembles the 

 Spanish, from which we believe it to have been at least 

 partly derived. It exceeds that breed, however in size, the 

 cock often weighing from eight to even ten pounds. Both 

 sexes have a large, long body, standing on long and powerful 

 legs, and always weighing more than it appears, on account 

 of the dense and close-fitting plumage. The legs are slate- 

 colour, turning with age to a leaden grey. The plumage 

 resembles that of the Spanish, being a dense black with green 

 reflections. 



The look of the head is peculiar, the comb being not only 

 two-horned, much like the CrSvecceur, near the top of the 

 head, but also appearing in the form of two little studs or 

 points just in fronts of the nostrils. The head used to be, and 

 still is in France, surmounted by a rudimentary black crest* 



