114 THE HISTORY Or 



weighing forty height pounds ; and among the Cochin-Ghma 

 birds are to be found hens which, in the period that forms 

 the usual boundary of chicken life," have attained: a weight 

 of seven or eight pounds. Of the value of these birds it is 

 difficult to speak without calling forth expressions of incre- 

 dulity. It is evident that there is a desperate mania in 

 bird-fancying, as in other things. Thus, for example^ there 

 is a single fowl to which is affixed the enormous money 

 value of 30 guineas ; two Cochin-China birds are estimated 

 at 25 guineas ; and four other birds, of the same breed, a 

 cock and three hens, are rated in the aggregate at 60 guin^ 

 eas, — a price which the owner confidently expects them to 

 realize at the auction-sale on Thursday. A further illus- 

 tration of tMs ornithological enthusiasm is to berfound in 

 the fact that, at a sale on Wednesday last, one hundred and 

 two lots, comprising one hundred and ten Cochin-China 

 birds, all belonging to one lady, realized £369. 4s. 6d. ; the 

 highest price realized for a single one being 20 guineas." 



Another British journal stated, a short time previously; : 

 that " a circumstance occurred which proves 'that the Co- 

 chin-China mania has by no means diminished in intensity. 

 The last annual sale of the stock of Mr. Sturgeon, of Greys,, 

 has taken place at the Baker-street Bazaar. The two Jiun- - 

 dred birds there disposed of could not have realized a less 

 sum than .nearly £700 (or $3500), some of the, single 



