Qualities of Houdaas. 411 



" Whatever has been said to the contrary, this breed, when pure, is most characteristic ; but 

 it must be admitted that most of the farmers near Houdan know as httle of the pure Houdan 

 breed as those of La Fl^che and Crevecoeur know of theirs ; and, if you were to order some first- 

 class birds of them, irrespective of price, they would with good conscience forward fowls of a large 

 size — but, from a want of knowledge, some cross breeds. To illustrate this, I may mention that 

 I could have purchased, at the markets in those respective localities, splendid thorough-bred 

 specimens for about three shillings, the price of common fowls, but which were worth, even in 

 France, one pound each. There are, however, in each locality some persons who take an interest 

 in their pure breeds, particularly since they have been encouraged by the reward of prizes from 

 poultry exhibitions. 



" The Houdan fowl has a very bulky appearance, its plumage invariably blad< and white 

 spangled, a crest of the same colour ; comb triple, the outsides opening like two leaves of a book, 

 and the centre having the appearance of an ill-shaped long strawberry. With the cock the comb 

 is very large, whilst with the hen it ought to be scarcely perceptible. The legs are strong and of a 

 lead colour, with five claws, the two hind ones one above the other. Strongly-developed whiskers 

 and beards both in cocks and hens. This is one of the finest races of fowls, but its qualities surpass 

 even its beauty. Besides the smallness of their bones and the fineness of their flesh, they are of an 

 extraordinary precocity and fecundity ; they lay large and white eggs, and the chickens are fit for 

 the table at four months old. It is, however, observed that they are very indifferent for hatching. 

 The weight of adults is from seven to eight pounds, in which the bones figure for one-eighth. The 

 chicken when four months old weighs, without the intestines, about four pounds and a half" 



Further experience of Houdans has proved them to be extraordinarily hardy, and when the 

 stock has been selected and bred with judgment, excellent layers ; while they fully keep up the 

 character for precocity and fine quality on the table which Mr. Geyelin gives them. We never 

 reared any ourselves but once some years ago, when we hatched a sitting of eggs sent by rail. We 

 found these chicks hardier even than our Brahmas, and they appeared to feather as if by magic ; but, 

 being from a small and recently-imported strain, did not make much weight by the time they were 

 killed. English breeders have, however, somewhat increased the size of the fowl, without as yet 

 apparently injuring its other valuable qualities, and also made some approach to more uniformity 

 of colour. We are, however, glad to see that there has been no attempt as yet to " breed to 

 feather;" all that has been done being the attainment of a tolerably uniform dark speckled or 

 splashed plumage of black and white, free from colour, which is far from unpleasing, though not 

 entailing the consequences which a too rigid standard always involves. Of the modern or English 

 Houdan, as thus improved sinjply by careful breeding, Mr. R. B. Wood, of Uttoxeter, has been 

 one of the most successful cultivators ; and to his kindness we are indebted for the following notes 

 on the variety : — 



" I have now kept Houdans for nearly seven years, and can safely say that I have not found 

 them fall off in any way, but quite the contrary. I find them good layers of fine eggs, and as 

 table fowls not, in my opinion, to be surpassed. They are very hardy as chickens, feathering and 

 maturing in a much shorter time than either Brahmas or Cochins. I consider them a very valuable 

 breed for any one to keep when non-sitters are required, as it is very rare for them to show the 

 least tendency to incubate. It is also worth remark that though good foragers when at liberty, 

 they are easily kept in bounds, being very different to Hamburghs or Game in this respect ; and 

 they will bear confinement as well as most breeds. 



" My idea of a good Houdan cock is as follows :— He should be as large as possible, and carry 

 himself well. The comb should be good and characteristic ; not of the Creveca;ur type, but flat 



