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THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



ments, and we challenge any man to prove us 

 in error. 



" First. That no Brahma fowls have ever been 

 imported into the United States or any other 

 country from China or Asia, since the alleged 

 importation of three pairs to the city of New 

 York in 1 850, from one of which it is alleged 

 all the Brahma fowls have originated, now in 

 this country or England. 



" Second. That no such fowls are known to 

 exist in China and Asia at the present time. 



"When we say Brahma fowls, we do not 

 mean gray Shanghais, as it is quite probable that 

 certain 'gray fowls' have been imported from 

 China, and we refer to fowls with cream-colored 

 white bodies, dark wing, and tail tips and neck 

 hackle with the same hue. 



" It is of no consequence now how they orig- 

 inated, as a knowledge of that matter can not 

 change them in the least ; but it is certain that 

 a pure Brahma fowl was never seen in England 

 till sent there from the United States." 



An English writer says, " So much has been 

 said about the Brahma fowls, and such a variety of 

 opinions given as to whether they are a distinct 

 breed or not, that I will venture to say a little 

 respecting them. That they are a distinct breed 

 there is not the least doubt, for long before they 

 were imported into this country, a brother of 

 mine, who has been much in India, informed 

 me of them, and pointed out most particularly 

 the advantages they possessed over the Cochins. 

 I have now several of these birds in my posses- 

 sion, both of the dark and light variety. Some 

 months since my brother visited me, and on being 

 shown the birds, at once pronounced them to be 

 the same as those he had seen in India; and he 

 farther states that there are two distinct varie- 

 ties as to color and shape the one being dark 

 and straight in form, with few feathers on the 

 legs ; the other, with white body, black tail and 

 wing feathers, the neck delicately penciled, 

 bright yellow legs, generally heavily feathered ; 

 the neck, tail, and back forming a half circle. 

 The comb in each variety should be straight 

 and single. 



" I have seen nearly all the birds which have 

 been imported from America, and many of those 

 from India ; and I must say that many of the 



finest specimens at present in this country are 

 from the United States, independent of those 

 sent to her Majesty. There is but little doubt 

 that when the Brahmas become more generally 

 known, they will stand number one. Their ap- 

 pearance is most pleasing, their flesh white and 

 delicate. They are superior to most birds in size, 

 and their eggs second to none for size and fla- 

 vor ; and the hens are not so prone to sit as the 

 Cochins." 



There has been an evident desire on the part 

 of Shanghai and Cochin breeders to put a stop 

 to the rapid advance to favor made by the 

 Brahmas ; but it is useless, for they have every 

 thing to recommend them. Only " give them a 

 fair field and no favor," and they will soon place 

 in the shade their buff opponents, the Shanghais. 



An American writer says, " We know, or we 

 believe, they are from India, and came from the 

 neighborhood of the river after which they are 

 named. What hindered our countrymen from 

 importing them, as they have the credit of 

 go-aheadiveness? and if they imported them, 

 why are those they have sent to England of 

 necessity spurious ? Did not the first ever re- 

 ceived in England go from America? And 

 may not the first possessors know something 

 about them ?" 



The multitude of counselors has not yet 

 brought wisdom, nor have they succeeded in 

 agreeing among themselves as to the chief points, 

 or the origin of their birds. 



Mr. Burnham says they are Shanghais. Dr. 

 Bennett contends they came from India. Why 

 should they not? During the mania many of 

 these birds were imported from China. How 

 was it that among them there were no Brahmas, 

 and then why should it be so strongly asserted 

 they are only Shanghais ? It would seem that 

 the hold of these latter birds on their admirers 

 is so strong, that rather than admit a new actor 

 on the scene, they will vow he is the same in a 

 new costume. Shanghais will ever be memor- 

 able in the history of poultry as the birds that 

 were the general favorites when a love for the 

 feathered tribe sprung up. They will also bear 

 the palm of having made larger prices, and main- 

 tained them longer than any other will ever 

 probably do. 



