32 THE BRAHMA POOTBA FOWL. 



I received in the spring of 1852 a pair of Brahma Pootras 

 from Dr. Bennett, and I have had abundant evidence of 

 their character to warrant me in saying that this breed of fowls 

 is magnificent, large, hardy, handsome and prolific, and destined 

 to be of great popularity. They possess all the valuable traits 

 of the best Shanghaes, short-legged, compact, great layers, &c., 

 besides being larger and far more attractive to the eye. They 

 lay daily, while they do lay, as a general rule, and stop but a 

 few days between broods, when not allowed to sit. Their eggs 

 are very large, larger than those of any other fowl in this 

 country. They are the most quiet, docile fowl known, never 

 pecking at young chickens, and will seldom leave the yard 

 where bred, when an opportunity is given them, unless forced 

 to do so. I have a peculiar instance of this fact. Having 

 reared several broods in a yard of good limits, I desired to have 

 them run out into an adjoining field, after the grass had been 

 cut, to feed on the bugs and grasshoppers, and having opened 

 a passage thereto, I presumed they would soon enter the field ; 

 but I was disappointed ; not one passed out. I then called them 

 out into the field and fed them there several times, but as soon 

 as they had gathered their corn they returned to their own 

 yard, and would not leave it, unless called out. Another fea- 

 ture is, they can be confined by a fence three feet high, and 

 our gardens will never suffer from their depredations, even if 

 the gates were left wide open. All the Asiatic tribes are easily 

 confined, but this breed is the least inclined to ramble of them 

 all, as far as my knowledge extends. I now (October, 1852), 

 have a dozen fine pullets of this breed, that can not be pur- 

 chased. My object is to breed from them next season not to 

 speculate, but to furnish the public who may desire eggs, or 

 fowls of this breed, at as low rates as they can be procured 

 elsewhere, and be enabled to ensure to purchasers the pure 

 breed, a matter of the utmost importance, and yet so little re- 

 garded by many breeders, who care for nothing but to get the 

 money into their pockets. 



Since this breed of fowls has become popular, and much 

 sought for, the title to their name has been disputed by George 

 P. Burnham, Esq., of Boston, dealer in Cochin Chinas and 

 Shanghaes. The following extracts will show the ground 

 upon which Mr. Burnham stands, and also the position of Dr. 

 Bennett, the gentleman who gave them the appellation of 

 JBrahma Pootras : 



