Spanish. 115 



CHAPTER XV. 



SPANISH. 



THIS splendid breed was originally imported from 

 Spain, and is characterised by its peculiar white face, 

 which in the cock should extend from the comb down- 

 wards, including the entire face, and meet beneath in a 

 white cravat, hidden by the wattles ; and in the hen 

 should be equally striking. The plumage is perfectly 

 black, with brilliant metallic lustre, reflecting rich green 

 and purple tints. The tail should resemble a sickle in the 

 cock, and be square in the hen. The comb should be of a 

 bright red, large, and high, upright in the cock, but 

 pendent in the hen ; the legs blue, clean, and long, and 

 the bearing proud and gallant. 



With care they will thrive in a very small space, and are 

 perhaps better adapted for town than any other variety. 

 They are tolerably hardy when grown, but suffer much 

 from cold and wet. Their combs and wattles are liable 

 to be injured by severe cold, from which these fowls should 

 be carefully protected. If frost-bitten, the parts should be 

 rubbed with snow or cold water, and the birds must not 

 be taken into a warm room until recovered. 



The Spanish are excellent layers, producing five or six eggs 

 weekly from February to August, and two or three weekly 

 from November to February, and also laying earlier than 

 any other breed except the Brahma, the pullets beginning 

 to lay before they are six months old. Although the hens 

 are only of an average size, and but moderate eaters, their 

 oggs are larger than those of any other breed, averaging 

 3^ ounces, and some weighing 4J ounces, each. The shells 

 are very thin and white, and the largest eggs are laid in 

 the spring. 



The flesh is excellent, but the body is small compared to 



