74 POULTRY. 



ing of them. They are supposed to be the native bird, improved 

 by care in the management, yet their size and color and the com- 

 plexion of the shell of their eggs, seem to indicate the presence of 

 foreign blood. They are a good sample of what may be accom- 

 phshed by the right course of treatment. No fowls can thrive, nor 

 do themselves justice in meeting the intention of their being kept, 

 unless some small thought and care in providing, be had for them. 

 In summer they need a good range, a chance for scratching and 

 burying themselves in the warm sand, and in winter, warm and 

 comfortable shelter from the cold and snow. Nothing is so baneful 

 to them as cold and wet, and no creatures more quickly and cer- 

 tainly show the good effects of proper protection, comfortable hous- 

 ing, and good food. Yes, 



When the winds whistle cold, 

 And the stars glimmer red ; 

 When the flocks are in fold, 

 And the cattle in shed ; 

 When the hoar-frost is chill. 

 Upon moorland and hill ; 

 When the wintry blasts blow. 

 O'er the wild drifting snow. 



Then shelter, comfort and protect the poor biddies, and let not 



" the winds of heaven 



Visit their face too roughly." — Hamht. 



Give them a warm nook, warm food, and enough of it, clean 

 water, dry sand to wallow in, and lime cleanings to pick amongst, 

 that they may not lack the raw material for the egg shell. An 

 occasional chance at raw meat is very good for them, and if you 

 will roast the refuge bones from the kitchen, and crush them and 

 mix with them meal-dough, it will prove a highly acceptable titbit 

 for them. They will amply repay your care, in being in better 

 health, better flesh, and better able to stand the cold of our severe 

 winter, and they will earlier begin and later continue their laying 

 of eggs. Introduce to your stock, if they be native birds, a Cock of 

 some of the best approved foreign varieties, and fancy runs towards 

 the Dorking and Spanish more particularly, though if aiming at in- 

 creased size, you may look to some one of the East India monsters. 

 At any rate do the very best you can with the breed you may 

 happen to have, and do the best you can to improve the quality of 



