Russian Fowls. 449 



This breed used to be kept in Scotland, but we are not aware of any having been shown in this 

 country for some years. The originals, so far from being Russian, appear to have been imported 

 by Mr. Vivian from Bengal. The characteristics were a full beard under the chin, and tufts of 

 feathers on each jaw, but unaccompanied with crest. Mr. Vivian's birds were chiefly buff, but 

 white, black, and spangled specimens were also seen. The fowl was of medium size (cocks weighing 

 about six pounds) and had the reputation of being hardy, a good layer, and small eater. 



We have some reason to believe specimens of this breed still exist in Scotland ; but it is so 

 long since any were shown that we should merely have mentioned the name, were not a black 

 variety of the breed still preserved in America, and apparently valued. From the American 

 Poultry World oi November, 1872, we take the following descriptive account of these American 

 black " Russian " fowls : — 



" This rare breed has a rather obscure history. Their first introduction into America seems 

 to have been at two periods : that of earliest date being into New Orleans, whence they spread 

 northward as far as Iowa; and later importations being into Connecticut, about 1850, by Captain 

 Kellogg, of Mystic. Lately another lot has been imported into Ledyard. Mr. Kellogg's importa- 

 tion is still represented by a few individuals in the vicinity of Mystic ; and Mr. W. H. Brackett, of 

 Boston, showed specimens from the same at the Massachusetts Poultry Association Fair last 

 February, and took a prize. ,. 



" They are black, with a vivid glossy green, although the cocks were originally red on the neck- 

 hackle, but this appears to have been bred out. The bottoms of the feet are yellow, and sometimes 

 the dark legs are nearly of the same colour. They have rose-combs, less acceptably single, and 

 both sexes are heavily muffed. The flesh is yellow. They are round and compact in form, and 

 not badly shaped. Cocks will, late in the fall, reach seven pounds — ten pounds has been reported — 

 pullets about five. They appear to have useful economical qualities, prodigious reports having 

 been made of their laying qualities, cases being reported where 200 eggs per year were produced. 

 Probably such a high rate, if correct, was the result of recent importation, which seems to often act 

 as a stimulus. The egg is rather small. Their flesh is excellent. They make good sitters and 

 mothers ; and the chickens are hardy, and mature early. It is reported that a cross between a cock 

 of this species and a Light Brahma hen produced pullets laying at four and a half months of age. 

 There can be no doubt that this race will prove to be a very valuable addition to existing ones, 

 especially if other importations are made to infuse fresh blood." 



The description here quoted is accompanied by an engraving, very poorly executed, from 

 which it would appear that the general conformation of the hen is much like that of the Crevecceur, 

 but the cock seems to stand higher, more in the attitude of a Brahma. It is quite evident that the 

 race is the same originally as that alluded to in old English descriptions, and has been kept pure ; 

 while, if the above account can be trusted, it would certainly appear to be both useful and 

 ornamental, and well worth a trial. 



We may remark that a beard, without crest, is very easy of production. Dark Brahmas are 

 peculiarly apt to produce pullets with a very perceptible beard, and we have seen birds in which 

 this feature was pretty conspicuous. By selecting these, in three years a Brahma might be 

 produced with a beard as large as could be desired. We also, some years ago, while residing in 

 Bristol, came into the possession of two fowls of a very remarkable character, which took our fancy 

 as we passed an ordinary bird-dealer's window. He called them " French Dorkings," and stated 

 that they had been sold him by a gentleman who was giving up his fowls, and who had brought 

 them from France ; a statement we found was perfectly correct. They were really fine and good 

 Dorking hens in all points, with single combs, and five toes (the fifth as perfect as we ever saw) on 

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