COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 81 



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breeders, that the " Cochin China " (so called,) and the red 

 " Shanghae " fowl, are identical, or very nearly so that is, that 

 both originate from the same parentage in China. Some of 

 these both the Cochin and the Shanghae are smooth-legged, 

 and others are feathered on the legs, while the other general 

 characteristics are very similar in both. Be this as it may, either 

 of these breeds when well-selected and properly cared for, is 

 considered by many as good enough for all useful purposes. 



The following general remarks, by Mr. Burnham, describe 

 his imported specimens which samples are adjudged by some 

 of our best breeders, to be among the choicest domestic fowls 

 in America. He says : 



" A variety of opinions has been given, and a great difference of 

 opinion still exists, among fanciers, in regard to what is, really, the 

 true ' Cochin China' fowl. The first bird of this noble variety, which 

 the public were ever made acquainted with, however, were those 

 sent to Queen Victoria, a few years ago, as a present from China, by 

 one of her foreign ministers. This lot comprised two cocks and four 

 hens, and upon their arrival in England, they were pronounced ' most 

 extraordinary specimens of poultry.' 



" An illustration, comprising portraits of a group of these birds, 

 Boon afterwards appeared ' by permission of the Queen ' in the ' Lon- 

 don Illustrated News ; ' and these birds were set down, at once, by all 

 who saw them, and who were at all acquainted with poultry, as 

 decidedly the finest samples of domestic fowls ever brought into Eng- 

 land." 



A pair were presented to Lord Heytesbury at Dublin, by her 

 Majesty, and afterwards were bred by Mr. Xolan. Mr. Burn- 

 ham obtained his fowls direct from that gentleman, at a high 

 cost. There were six chickens in that lot, brought over to 

 America in the winter of '49 and '50. A rooster and pullet 

 of this importation is portrayed in the preceding cut, which was 

 taken from life, by Mr. Brown, of Boston, soon after their arrival 

 in America. 



These fowls were, generally, smooth-legged. One of these 

 imported cocks exhibited a very slight germ of feathering upon 

 the leg but four-fifths of the progeny of this importation 

 come without any feathering upon the legs. Their general 

 color is a rich, glossy brown ; the comb is a medium size, ser- 

 rated, but not deeply so, and the wattles are double. Besides 

 their size, however, these fowls possess other distinctive charac- 

 teristics. The flesh is white and delicate. The eggs laid by 

 the hen of this breed, are of a salmon, and sometimes of a 

 chocolate color, and possess a very delicate flavor. 

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