FARM-YARD FOWLS. 



119 



a choice should be regulated : The head of the 

 Game-cock should be thin and long, like that 

 of a greyhound ; face bright red ; beak massy 

 at the root, strong and curved ; eyes large and 

 sparkling ; neck long and full ; breast broad and 

 well developed ; back short and flat between the 

 shoulders ; body tapering toward the tail ; wings 

 inclined to expand and cover the thighs, some- 

 what after the Bantam; thighs short and mus- 

 cular ; shank or beam of the leg powerful, and 

 long in proportion to the thigh ; legs well for- 

 ward, with a clean foot and strong claws. When 

 placed on his breast on the palm of the hand 

 he should be evenly balanced. In condition he 

 should exhibit both closeness and hardness of 

 feather, while his carriage is erect, evincing both 

 boldness and self-confidence. 



The proportions of the hen will, of course, 

 exhibit certain feminine reductions from her 

 consort's figure ; but the clean and finely -form- 

 ed neck and head, the latter surmounted by a 

 small upright comb, together with a neat figure, 

 and muscular formation of the leg and thigh, 

 and of general elasticity of limb, must always 

 be apparent. 



The comb, as a main characteristic in the 

 Game fowl, more particularly in the male bird, 

 so disappears that the ardent admirers of this 

 breed might be inclined to regard it rather as 

 an accident than a property. 



The spur should be placed low on the leg, its 

 power as a weapon being thereby greatly in- 

 creased ; but the force of the blow is aided by 

 a rapid driving stroke of the wing. The best 

 weight of a Game-cock is generally considered 

 to be about five pounds, but we have known some 

 to reach six pounds. The Shawl-necked or Irish 

 Grays are of the largest class. 



Game Hens as Layers. The color of the eggs 

 of the Game hen varies from a dull white to a 

 fawn, but crossing with the Asiatic bird imparts 

 a still darker tint. In shape, as might be sup- 

 posed from the numerous sub-varieties, our de- 

 scription must be very general, for, while with 

 the Black-breasted and other Reds, we find the 

 egg with the diameter greatest at one-third of 

 its length from its larger end, and both extrem- 

 ities tapering, neither this color nor form could 

 be affirmed of other varieties. 



The Black-breasted Red is as good a layer as 

 any of this numerous family ; as many as twenty- 

 four eggs being constantly laid by them before 

 manifesting any desire to sit. But with regard 

 to the number of eggs laid by fowls of any breed 

 previously to their manifesting a desire to incu- 

 bate, much will depend on whether the eggs are 

 removed and a nest-egg only allowed to remain, 

 or whether they are allowed to accumulate as 

 day by day the store may receive additions. If 

 the latter plan be adopted, few Game fowls, we 

 imagine, would be found to lay beyond the num- 

 ber instinct would suggest as the proper com- 

 plement for their nest ; and this we find from 

 twelve to fifteen. 



As sitters Game hens have no superiors. Quiet 

 on their eggs, regular in the hours for coming 

 off and returning to their charge, and confident, 

 from their fearless disposition, of repressing 

 the incursions of any intruder, they rarely fail 

 to bring off good broods. Hatching accomplish- 

 ed, their merits appear in a still more conspic- 

 uous light. Ever on their guard, not even the 

 shadow of a bird overhead, or the approach of 

 man or beast, but finds them ready to do battle 

 for their offspring ; and instances are on record 

 where rats and other vermin have thus fallen 

 before them. 



Qualities for the Table. If any of our readers 

 should desire the neplus ultra of excellence in a 

 fowl, let him eat and pronounce his opinion on 

 the wing of a well-fed Game pullet, and we will 

 have no fear of his disagreeing with this expres- 

 sion of our judgment on the good qualities of 

 these birds for the table. 



Of all the breeds, the Game fowl is consider- 

 ed the most perfect and beautiful, whether we 

 look to contour or to coloring ; the cock carries 

 himself proudly and yet gracefully, his port and 

 bearing proclaim his fiery spirit, his undaunted 

 mettle, which endures even to his last breath, 

 for while prostrate and mortally wounded he 

 will answer the insulting crow of his victorious 

 rival, and make a last effort to revenge himself 

 before the spark of life is extinct. No wonder 

 then that the gallant cock should have been 

 chosen as the emblem of courage. 



It is allowed by most persons that a high-bred 

 Game-cock in full health and vigor, is, after all, 



