354 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



black. The weight of the cock averages about five and a half pounds, and of hens four and a 

 half pounds." 



This breed is justly popular through the whole West of England district, including the 

 counties of Devon, Cornwall, Gloucester, Somerset, Dorset, and Wilts. In Somerset we have 

 seen many very fine specimens ; and the city of Bristol possessed at one time several good strains. 

 These were much finer birds both in size and appearance than those described by Mr. Leworthy ; 

 for we have seen several cocks ranging from seven to eight pounds in weight, and hens nearly six 

 pounds ; while the plumage always struck us as being if possible even more resplendent and 

 t^lossy than that of the Spanish fowl. The probability is that the Barnstaple birds are a distinct 

 strain, the description even of the carriage not being what we should apply to the birds we have 

 been familiar with while residing at Bristol, which were of ver)' noble and commanding appearance. 

 They were very rarely shown, being seldom found in the hands of fanciers ; but fine specimens 

 rarely failed to secure some prize even in the class for "any other variety," and invariably 

 attracted much attention. We once, indeed, heard a celebrated judge remark that a fine pen of 

 Black Minorcas were " one of the most striking pens in the show," and the truth of the remark 

 was evident to all observers, the noble carriage, grand size, and magnificent gloss on the plumage 

 forming a tout ensemble which it was hard to surpass. Hence, we have every reason to believe 

 that if more frequently shown they might make a place for themselves amongst the recognised 

 show varieties. 



It is, however, as useful fowls that the Black Minorcas chiefly deserve mention. They possess 

 all the good qualities of the Spanish, with several of their own, being very hardy, larger, plumper 

 in make, and much better even as layers. In the latter capacity they are almost universal 

 favourites wherever known. We never knew them to equal the 200 eggs per annum spoken of 

 by Mr. Leworthy, most of the good specimens we were acquainted with being kept in confinement; 

 but we have known of 180 being reached ; and even that is an extremely high average if the size 

 of the egg be also taken into consideration. It is also probable that, by selecting eggs from 

 only the best layers, in the way we have several times explained, the average might be 

 increased considerably. 



The possessors of some of the finest specimens of Black Minorcas we ever saw were poor 

 men, who never thought of showing. It is worthy of remark that nearly all of them called their 

 fowls " Black Spanish ; " and it especially interested us to observe on several occasions, that though 

 keeping their birds chiefly to sell eggs, and never dreaming of exhibition, they were very proud 

 of their fowls, valued them highly, and in some cases refused as much as a guinea each for their 

 very best birds. 



In fine, we can most strongly recommend this breed as highly suitable for the production 

 of eggs in confinement, with scarcely any risk from disease ; and shall rejoice if a better knowledge 

 of it leads to its attaining a recognised exhibition rank. 



WHITE SPANISH AND MINORCAS.— There are white varieties of both the preceding 

 breeds, probably formed in each case by breeding from the occasional " sports " to which we have 

 already referred. The White Spanish is not by any means a nice-looking fowl, the plumage 

 affording no contrast to the white face, but, on the contrary, giving it a sickly or ghastly cast, which 

 is only less conspicuous when high health makes the colour of the combs and wattles as bright 

 as possible. 



White Minorcas are much handsomer birds, the red face presenting the contrast which the 

 plumage seems to require. Mr. Leworthy writes of them that, according to his experience, they 



