INCUBATION. 89 



During this period she will not leave her 

 nest for more than a few minutes at a time, 

 and at intervals of from one to three days. 

 So powerful is this instinct, that they have 

 been known to remain on their nests until 

 they have perished with hunger. To pre- 

 vent such an occurrence, it has been recom- 

 mended to feed them daily in this situation ; 

 but, in the attempt which I made, they soon 

 began to lay in their nests, and shortly af- 

 terward deserted them. The better plan 

 seems to be to let them follow the dictates 

 of their own instinct, and when they desire 

 food, let them seek for it in the poultry-yard. 



At this season, too, her whole nature is 

 changed. From being peaceful and cow- 

 ardly, she becomes a noisy termagant, fight- 

 ing with all her female friends, and avoiding 

 chanticleer as her most dreaded foe. Her 

 notes change to a peculiar cluck, which lasts 

 until her young brood can shift for them- 

 selves. 



In the selection of eggs for hatching, we 

 should choose those of the average size and 

 ordinary form, avoiding those with a double 

 H 



