74 BHANGHAE JTOWL3. 



than the more rigorous climate of New England ? It is here thought 

 with regard to the native breeds, that our Pennsylvania fowls exceed 

 in size and excellency, all others. I pretend not to throw out conjec- 

 tures, but to state facts, and leave you to form your own conclusions. 

 That some fowls are better adapted to some climates than others, and 

 their qualities more freely developed, is a fact that will not, I think, 

 bo disputed. 



There is another question to which I would direct your attention, 

 viz: Have we, in this country, the pure Cochin China fowl? There 

 are some writers who assert that we have not, while others assert to 

 the contrary. I hope you will be able to throw some light on thia 

 vexed question, in your new work. Some of my white fowls I have 

 been in the habit of terming the white Cochin China, for the reason 

 that many have made a distinction between those fowls that are feath- 

 ered on the leg, and those which are not ; the latter being termed the 

 Cochin China. There is a great difference in the color of the egg ; in 

 this latter class, they are of a brown or chocolate shade. An English 

 g.entleman who lately visited my poultry yard, on examining these 

 eggs, observed, that they were exactly similar to those of the cele- 

 brated Cochin Chinas belonging to Queen Victoria, and that the dark 

 or purple spots, generally seen on the eggs, were considered indicative 

 of the purity of the breed, as also of high qualities of the fowL 



I have several pairs of the "Bailey" and "Parsons" imported 

 Shanghaes ; they are considered far superior to the Forbes and Marsh 

 stock, although they never attain to the size of the latter. They are 

 most excellent layers, and very superior for the table. They are worth 

 from $6 to $8 per pair. I have disposed of several of the white 

 Shanghae fowls, but have never sold any for less than $15 the pair. 

 Yours truly, 



SAMUEL A. BUMSTEAD. 



In the above communication, Mr. Bumstead alludes to a 

 white fowl, bred in Pennsylvania, resembling the white 

 Shanghaes, which he calls white " Cochin China " fowls. As 

 there is no such breed known among the New England fanciers, 

 and in fact, none existing anywhere, that can properly be thus 

 named, it is safe to say that the name is incorrect. Mr. B. 

 writes further, as follows : 



But while much has been written favorably, concerning the quali- 

 ties of these fowls, yet none that I have met with have alluded to the 

 difference existing between the white Cochin China and the white 

 Shanghae, seeming rather to class these two kinds under that of the 

 latter, whereas there is in some respects a difference. Those of the 

 white Cochin China breed, lay a much browner-colored egg than the 

 former, and their wings are much smaller and higher up on the body. 

 The male bird of the Cochin China has also the power of doubling his 

 wings, which is not the case with that of the white Shanghae. 



Some have denied this peculiarity as belonging to this fowl, stating 

 fliat there is no double joint in the wing, which gives the bird tho 



