SHANGHAE FOWLS. 45 



To the Chittagongs, (so called,) I am not partial, on account of its 

 being a mixed breed. Their progeny are of all descriptions and 

 colors-,-some smooth, and some with their legs feathered ; and again, 

 some having nine and ten toes. They are also deficient in form to the 

 Cochin or Shanghae, being very tall in proportion to thickness of body ; 

 but to those who are not nice in such matters, and who think that all 

 fowls are much the same for culinary purposes, they may do very well. 

 They very often attain a large size, arid weigh as much, if not more, 

 than any other variety. They are good layers of large and very well- 

 flavored eggs, if well fed. I have a hen of this variety, but not 

 knowing when she was hatched, cannot testify as to her precocity, 

 but can as to her prolific qualities. She is now raising her third 

 brood of chickens this year, and some of the first brood now stand 

 twenty-four inches high, and all promise to be of the largest size. 



I would recommend to those who breed this, and other varieties of 

 a large size, to put saddles on the hens' backs, (that is, a piece of 

 thick cloth, but not so closely wove that the cock would slip off. A 

 piece of cotton-bagging would answer very well, either sewed on, or 

 secured with tape), to prevent them from being lacerated by the claws 

 of the cock ; or put eight, ten, twelve or enough of hens to satisfy his 

 salacity. If the saddle is used, it will be necessary to examine fre- 

 quently beneath, to see that there are no vermin. A smearing of the 

 parts with oil or grease, before applying it, would be beneficial. 



A. C. Pnm 



Charleston, S. C. 



I had an instance the last season, of the skin of the sides of 

 a hen being completely stript down, by the sharp claws of a 

 large, heavy cock. It would be well to use Mr. Phin's remedy. 



The following is from A. T. Newbold, Esq., of Philad., a pio- 

 neer in the importation of this breed, and the origin of the name : 



"In the spring of 1847, I received, direct from Shanghae, by Capt. 

 G-. W. Lockwood, of the ship Tartar, the first pair of native fowls 

 from northern China, imported to this country. I have been a fancier 

 of fowls for thirty years, and I believe that I have had every known 

 variety, at different times. There have been many different fowls 

 brought from Shanghae, but it docs not follow, that all are the pure 

 native breeds of northern China. On the contrary, most of the fowls 

 at the port of Shanghae are hybrids, as 'also are the Cochin Chinas. 

 Previous to having the Shanghae fowls, (a name which I gave them 

 in consequence of their being shipped at that port,) I had a breed, 

 which I called the "Grey Eagle," improved by crossing with tho 

 large black fowl from Algiers, with the large white fowl of Poland, 

 without top knot, known as the Baltic fowl. Although hybrids, they 

 were the best I had seen, until I received the Shanghaes. In regard 

 to the laying qualities of the Shanghaes, you can judge, when I state, 

 and vouch for, that I received them in the early part of June, in very 

 poor condition. The hen commenced laying on the 19th of June, and 

 up to Dec. 3d, I had 127 chickens from her eggs! They were hatched 

 under other hens, of course." 



