SPANISH, DOMINIQUE, AND FRENCH. 59 



lie down, their combs become black, and they, to all appearance, 

 dead, when all at once they would expel the egg, and in a few 

 moments they would be singing about the yard as well as ever. 



The different varieties of this family are golden-spangle, 

 golden-pencilled, silver-spangle, silver-pencilled, — this last 

 being the old-time Bolton Gray, under which name it was first 

 imported into this country. The white and black varieties 

 are of more recent date than the first four named ; the black, 

 I think, the most hardy and prolific of them all. 



The Spanish was long known as one of the best layers, 

 and, in fact, the old Minorcas were in every respect equal to 

 the Leghorns, but the breeding of the white face upon this 

 breed, has resulted in the fact that much of their merit has 

 been sacrificed. Their eggs are larger than those of any other 

 breed, but in number they fall much behind the average. 

 They are extremely delicate as chicks, but when once matured 

 they seem reasonably hardy ; and the contrast of a pure white 

 face and ear-lobe, with their metallic, green-black plumage, 

 makes them much admired. As poultry, here in America, we 

 would not concede, perhaps, that they were up to the average. 

 Their dark legs and white meat are not preferred by the 

 masses. 



The Dominique is every way equal in merit as to number 

 of eggs, and in poultry equally as good, as the Plymouth Rock ; 

 it being rather under size, compels it to take a second place. 

 In all other points, what has been said for the Plymouth 

 Rocks, would apply to the Dominique. 



The French class, comprising Houdans, La Fleche, and 

 Creve Cceur, while they are highly appreciated in France, 

 have failed to give general satisfaction in New England. 

 But Mr. Aldrich of Hyde Park has been successful with the 

 Houdans, and claims for them all that is excellent as table 

 fowls, besides being a good average producer of eggs : they 

 are more inclined to non-settins: than otherwise. 



But the Houdan and Creve Cceur require warm, dry quar- 

 ters. They, like the Polish, are inclined to roup if confined 

 in damp quarters. 



The La Fleche are the most delicate to rear of the whole 

 class, and in our northern climate are much troubled with a 



