THE SITTING HEN. 45 



morning, and after seeing to her wants and due return, to 

 shut her in so that she cannot be annoyed. She should be 

 lifted by taking hold under the wings, gently raising them 

 first to see that no eggs are enclosed. This is the usual 

 plan, and the only practicable one in very large establish- 

 ments. But it takes time to see all the hens safely back 

 and shut in again, and when we possessed a rather large 

 yard for some years, and were away all day, we preferred to 

 allot half a dozen separate pens for as many separate hens ; 

 these were taken off as usual, but were left to find their 

 own way back again. Under the shed must be, besides the 

 nest, a good-sized shallow box of sand, dry earth, or fine 

 coal ashes, for the hen to cleanse herself in, which she 

 specially needs at this time ; and food and water must be 

 always ready for her. With these precautions the hen 

 may, without very much risk, be left entirely to herself. 

 But it is much safer to take her off, and decidedly safer to 

 see her back again. 



Most medium-sized hens which do not belong to the 

 non-sitting breeds, make good mothers ; and so do Cochins 

 and Brahmas. Dorkings are exemplary, and go with their 

 chickens a long time, which recommends them strongly for 

 very early broods. And lastly, a Game hen has qualities 

 which often make her valuable. She is not only admirable 

 in her care, and a super-excellent forager for her young 

 brood, but will defend them to the last gasp, and render a 

 good account of the most determined cat that ever existed. 

 Some people have said that only mature hens should be 

 allowed to sit, and that pullets are not to be trusted ; but 

 our experience does not confirm this. We have constantly 

 set pullets, and never had any more reason to complain 01 

 them than of older birds. 



The nests may be arranged under the shed any way so 

 that no one can see into them, with the one proviso that 



