GALLUS DOMESTICUS. 



tens well. And the large white Dorking' breed, which is al- 

 ways considered the most valuable, and always fetches the 

 highest price in the market. The Dorking fowls are distin- 

 guished by having five claws on each foot. Equal to the 

 Dorking in estimation some consider the Poland fowls. Their 

 color is black, their head flat, and surmounted with a crown 

 of feathers. They are a very useful variety, prolific of eggs, 

 but less inclined to set than those of any other breed. All 

 others are kept more for show and fancy than for use. The 

 Bantam is a little Indian breed, very delicate to eat, but from 

 the smallness of its size not of any economical importance. 



The Chittagong or Malay fowl is the largest breed that has 

 been brought either to Europe or America, but the flesh is 

 regarded as inferior to that of the Dorking or Poland. Fowls 

 should not be allowed to wander much ; they lay better and 

 more regularly when confined to their own yards. Their food 

 should be given with great regularity at sunrise and sunset, 

 and they should be fed under cover during rain or high winds. 

 During harvest their portion of food is always diminished. 

 All sorts of pot herbs boiled in the washings of dishes, mixed 

 with bran, and then drained, is excellent, the paste warmed up 

 as required, while sweet. Well-boiled mealy potatoes, buck- 

 wheat, barley, whole or ground, refuse of fruit, bread, offal 

 from the kitchen, &c., is taken greedily. But all their food 

 should be fresh of its kind. 



The laying-time begins about March. A hen gives notice 

 of her intention by being busy and restless, and talking to her- 

 self for some time, and her comb becomes very red. Her 

 cackling soon gives notice that the deed is done. Let her 

 have a dark, quiet box to lay in. The moulting season be- 

 gins in autumn, when the hen ceases to lay for some time; 

 the whole feathered tribe are then drooping and dull, till the 

 new feathers have replaced the old ones. A hen is old at four 

 years of age ; for three years she is valuable, and in her fourth 

 year she must make way for younger birds. A hen sets three 

 weeks. Her disposition to set is soon discovered by her placing 

 herself upon any eggs she can find, and remaining thereon 

 instead of roosting. She should be placed upon fresh eggs, 

 unless allowed to sit as nature directs upon her own natural 

 number, which rarely exceeds eighteen ; but if one egg alone 

 is allowed to remain in the nest, she will continue to lay many 

 more before she wishes to set. If the brood is hatched irreg- 



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