598 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



are fairly good all round good sitters, good mothers, laying a fair 

 number of eggs, and making average table fowls. They partake 

 largely of the Asiatic type, that is, are large in body, with substantial 

 shanks, high tail, and of rotund contour. They have one decided 

 advantage, namely, that they are usually good winter layers, and for 

 this reason their produce is more valuable than that of man} 7 other 

 breeds which lay twice as freely. This is to some extent discounted 

 by the fact that, as might be expected from the size of body, they are 

 large eaters. Their heavy build, especially amongst the feather-legged 



Fig. 153. Light Brahma Cock. 



varieties, prevents their being very good foragers, in which respect the 

 American breeds have certainly a great advantage, as they are clean- 

 legged. The leading groups of the generally useful fowls are as 

 follow : 



Brahmas. Two colours, the dark and the light (fig. 153). Profusely 

 feathered, both on hocks, legs, and feet. Neat head, with pea comb. 

 Were once much better in economic qualities than is the case to-daj'. 

 Development of hocks has affected laying. Eggs are rich and tinted in 

 shell, as, in fact are all in this section. 



Cochins. The breed which created such a furore forty years ago. 

 It is broad, deep, and massive in body, with a very round appearance, 

 and extremely heavy in feathering, the hock, leg, and foot feathers 

 being excessively developed. There are five colours, the black, the 



