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crush them with her feet. The Brahma Pootra is also 

 popuhir as a good layer, producing a large egg about the 

 size of the Black Spanish, and of the yellowish hue com- 

 mon to eggs of the Asiatic breeds. The flesh of this 

 bird is good also. Although large, it is not gigantic in 

 size, nor is it awkward in appearance. It matures slow- 

 ly, and unless forced, the chickens will not lay in less 

 than eight or nine months. It is a great eater, but will 

 accept any kind of food. It does not incline to fly, nor 

 to wander abroad, nor to scratch much, and it is there- 

 fore a good breed to keep in enclosures in town. The 

 color of this fowl is white, Avith a mottled neck ; its 

 comb and wattles are small ; and it is hardy and able 

 bodied. This variety is at the present time more popu- 

 lar than any other, and, perhaps, deservedly so. One 

 great merit of the Brahmas is their peaceful disposi- 

 tion — an entire absence of pugnacity. 



The DorJcings both lay well and sit well, and where 

 only a single kind is desired can be recommended. The 

 pure variety is speckled. Its name is derived from a 

 town in Surrey, in England, and in that country it is 

 considered the best of fowls. It is plump bodied, large, 

 white fleshed, matures early and lays large eggs abun- 

 dantly, although in this respect it is not equal to the 

 Spanish. And it may be here stated that the Dorldng 

 and the Spanish make a good cross. 



The Bolton Grcjj has enjoyed some reputation as a 

 laying hen, although the eggs are small and they mature 

 slowly. But it has an odd habit of dying suddenly, 

 without any apparent cause, and for this reason it cannot 

 be recommended. "You go into the coop (says Mr. J. 

 J. II. Gregory) and find one of your finest fowls on the 

 nest for two or three days in succession with a comb 



