120 



DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



ance. There are few, if any, handsomer fowls than the genuine 

 Spanish ; although some that are called by that name, but are 

 really nameless mongrels, are ugly enough for scarecrows. 



The hens are great layers, being in this respect, we believe, 

 superior to every other breed. Their eggs are very large, quite 

 white, and of a peculiar shape, being quite thick at both ends, 

 although tapering off a little at each. A correspondent of the 

 Country Gentleman, relating his experience with them, says : 

 " My last year's June pullets commenced to lay in December, 

 and the first of February all of my Spanish hens laid more or 

 less. I got, in the six months, from the first of March to the 

 first of September, eighty -five dozen of eggs from seven pullets, 

 and I now get from four to six eggs per day ; and my honest 



Fig. 30. 



THE SPANISH FOWL. 



conviction is, that the true Black Spanish hen will lay from 

 'five to ten per cent.' more weight of eggs than any other 

 breed." 



