132 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



10. The Game Fowl. The Game fowl is hardy, easily kept, 

 and extra good for the table. The hens are fair layers, excel- 

 lent sitters, exemplary mothers, and in every way well behaved 



Fig. 40. 



fowls. The cocks have the reputation of being quarrelsome 

 and tyrannical; but those who have studied their character 

 most closely are of the opinion that, on this ground, they have 

 been unjustly condemned. They are brave and powerful, but 

 not pugnacious or vindictive. Bement says : " For those who 

 do not wish to give much attention to fowls, there is, accord- 

 ing to our opinion, no breed equal to the Game." 



11. Mongrel Fowls. The collections usually known under 

 the name of Barn-door fowls or Dunghill fowls are merely rab- 

 bles of mongrels, in which the results of accidental or injudi- 

 cious crosses have become apparent in all sorts of ways. There 

 is a tendency among them to revert back to some one of the 

 original breeds, and good fowls for all common uses are often 

 found among them. 



12. Choice of Breed. We have mentioned the leading char- 

 acteristics of the different kinds of fowls, in order to enable the 

 reader to decide which is best adapted to his purpose. Were 

 our advice asked in reference to the choice of a breed, we would 

 recommend the Spanish where eggs are to be made the prin- 



