MANUAL ON POULTRY. 17 



their heads, from which a luxuriant crest of feathers grows, causing 

 a peculiar and rather pleasing appearance, but really impairing the 

 usefulness of the fowls, by rendering them more subject to disease 

 and more liable to be taken by hawks. 



The Polish fowls are good layers and possess fair table qualities. 

 They are in size about medium ; in beauty they are unsurpassed, 



WHITE- CRESTED BLACK POLISH. 



but it is a beauty which will attract the amateur fancier, rather than 

 the practical breeder, who looks to profit as well as pleasure in the 

 conduct of his poultry yard. 



While the Polands are prolific layers under favorable circum- 

 stances, and possess good table qualities, they require greater pro- 

 tection from inclement weather than any other breed. The heavy 

 crest of feathers upon their heads renders them peculiarly subject 

 to cold and damp, since these feathers become wet if they are ex- 

 posed to showers and thus increase the tendency to cold and other 

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