528 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Nov. 





EAST INDIA OB BHAKEBAQ FOWL 



Mr. Bennett, in his book on Poultry, says this 

 fowl has so many points of affinity with the Ma- 

 lay tribe, that there can be no impropriety in as- 

 sociating it with them. He says they are exceed- 

 ingly rare in this country. Their average weight 

 is from eight to fourteen pounds. The hens are 

 good layers, and the eggs have every mark of the 

 East Indian origin of the race, being dark-colored 

 and large yolked. 



Richardson says: "A good many years ago, 

 there used to be a variety of fowl much in request 

 in England, called the 'Shakebag.' They were 

 as large as the Malays, but differed from them in 

 the superior whiteness and tenderness of their 

 flesh." 



Mr. Dickson says, "This fowl, which was for- 

 merly in very high repute, is said to have been as 

 large and as finely-flavored as a turkey ; and 

 though now rarely met with, it is still to be found 

 in some poultry-yards in Berkshire." 



Mr. Bennett describes these fowls, imported by 

 Mr. John L. Tucker, of the Tremont House, Bos- 

 ton, a few years ago, as somewhat different from 

 the illustration which we now give. The differ- 



ence, however, is trifling, with the exception of 

 the comb and wattles. He says "the plumage of 

 the male is brilliant in the extreme, being of a 

 bright red and glossy yellow, beautifully blended, 

 and shaded with black, so as to present a most 

 beautiful and captivating appearance. 



The hackles of the rump are long and droop- 

 ing, and of a golden-reddish color. The comb and 

 wattles are large and single ; legs large and yel- 

 low, and destitute of feathers ; tail long and droop- 

 ing, with rich and glossy plumage. The gait is 

 lively and majestic ; in a word, it is the handsom- 

 est of any of the large breeds, and should be • 

 classed with the best varieties. The hens are of 

 a bright yellow and glossy brown, good layers 

 and nurses, and very domestic. The eggs are 

 rather large, well flavored, and of a pale reddish 

 color. Their flesh is very fine for so large a fowl." 



The Age of the Guano Deposits. — Mens. 

 Boussingault, the celebrated French chemist, in a 

 late paper contributed to the Academy of Science, 

 shows that the age of modern alluvions does not 

 extend beyond historical times, whereas old allu- 

 vions date from the period immediately preceding 



