THE SHANGHAI FOWL. 267 



with, being, beyond doubfc, the immediate and almost unmixed descend- 

 ant of the wild cock of St. Jago." The three varieties are The 

 Spangled Polish a bird of extraordinary beauty, and difficult to be 

 procured. In color, it presents a splendid combination of a bright 

 orange, a clear white, a brilliant green, and a jetty black, softened down 

 with a rich and pure brown : every feather is tipped with white so as 

 to produce the effect whence has been derived the term spangled. The 

 flesh of these birds is of good quality, and they are very prolific. The 

 fowl known as the Golden Pheasant is a cross of this variety arid the 

 Black Polish fowl. 



The second variety of the Polish fowl is the well-known Black fowl, 

 with a white tuft on the crown. Their appearance is handsome, and 

 being very good layers, they are highly esteemed. The third variety 

 entirely white, without a feather of any other color. They are very 

 beautiful, but not quite so hardy as the Black. 



THE SHANGHJS FOWL. 



The Shanghse fowl has become generally known in the Northern 

 States, and especially in New England. It was brought from Shanghse, 

 China, in 1848, by Captain Forbes, and since that time other impor- 

 tations of the species have been effected. There are two varieties, 

 which may be distinguished as the yellow, including the brown buff 

 and the fawn colored,) and the white. The yellow, in general shape 

 and appearance, resembles the Coch in-China fowls, though they 

 have greater depth of quarters and loss depth of breast, and are of a 

 lighter color. Their general plumage is of a bright yellow, or gold 

 color, variegated with dark brown and red. They are quiet tempered, 

 their gait is proud and showy, but the legs are rather too long for 

 beauty. For laying properties, early maturity, and table use, there is 

 no better species in America. The principal characteristics of the 

 Yellow Shanghae, by which they may be distinguished from tie 

 Cochin China fowl is, that the legs are covered with feathers. The 

 White Shanghae, partakes of all the characteristics of the Yellow, 

 vnth the exception of color. Its legs are yellow, and very heavily 

 feathered. Their general appearance is cleanly and beautiful, aud 

 in laying, or for food, they are quite equnl to the Yellow species. 



The patience and perseverance of the hen while hatching arc truly 

 extraordinary: she covers her eggs with her wings, fostering them with 

 a genial warmth, often turning them, and changing their situation, that 

 all their parts may receive an equal degree of warmth. So intent is .she 

 on her task, as to neglect, in some degree, even the ordinary supplies 

 of food and drink. In about three weeks the young brood burst from 

 their confinement, when from being one of the most cowardly and 

 voracious, she becomes one of the most daring and abstemious of all 

 animals. If she casts her eye on a grain of corn, or even a crumb of 

 bread, she will not touch it, but gives her numerous train immediate 

 notice of her success by a peculiar call, which they all understand. 

 They flock around her, and the precious morsel is divided among them. 



