123 



rather unusually red ; (now this redness of the comb is 

 a certificate presented by other fowls that their internal 

 egg-producing apparatus is in full working order) and 

 you tell John that, ' really that Bolton Grey hen does beat 

 all in the poultry line that was ever heard of, seen, or 

 read of; indeed, you more than half believe she is but a 

 mass of eggs slightly covered with feathers.' John, fill- 

 ed with respectful admiration, approaches the prodigy 

 with stealthy steps, looks closely, and — proclaims her 

 dead " ! This has been our own experience. 



The Bantam, although the smallest of breeds, is pleas- 

 ant to keep on account of its smart, gay, and sprightly 

 habits. The best variety, Golden Sebright, is named af- 

 ter Sir John Sebright, an English foAvl fancier. The 

 Bantam will often weigh not over one pound. A six 

 months old Bantam hen Avas exhibited at the Essex Fair, 

 in 1860, which weighed only six ounces. These little 

 birds lay well and sit well. Their eggs are delicate, and 

 weigh from ten to fifteen to the pound. At a show in 

 London, in 1847, five Bantams sold for about $250, or 

 $50 each! The breed is of Asiatic origin. 



The LegJiorn fowls, in their general characteristics, are 

 almost precisely like the Black Spanish, and some main- 

 tain that they are an accidental variety of that sort. 

 They are clear white, with beautiful pendent wattles, 

 large serrated comb, of spirited bearing and handsome 

 carriage, shy, wild, hardy. The}^ are unsurpassed layers ; 

 they do not incline to sit until the second or third year ; 

 they mature early, commencing to lay in four or five 

 months. Their young are hardy and advance with ra- 

 pidity. The flesh of the Leghorn is white and excellent, 

 but the bird is only of medium size and not profitable 

 to raise for market. The Leghorn requires pretty warm 



