EUROPEAN BREEDS. 149 
The cocks average about five pounds, and the hens four 
pounds. They will always be prime favorites with a 
large class of fanciers and village poultry-raisers. 
THE POLISH FOWL. 
There are several varieties of these ornamental fowls, 
~ differing but little except in their plumage. The main 
characteristics of each are alike, all being non-sitters, and 
are by many called everlasting layers. As aclass, they are 
very prolific, and easily raised, feathering out and coming 
to maturity early. They are small compared with many 
varieties, but when full-grown weigh from ten to twelve 
pounds per pair. They are remarkably handsome, and 
in the yard or lawn have few superiors in beauty. In 
rearing them tastes differ; some prefer the White-crested 
Black, others the White and Spangled varieties. They 
are distinguished by a crest crowning the head, which 
givesthem the appearance of a field-marshal in plumes, 
though in illustrations this feature is somewhat over- 
drawn. They are especially adapted to city residences, 
the lawn, and small inclosures, and extremely domestic 
in their habits. They seem fond of attention, and become 
remarkably tame and fond of the society of their keeper; 
are a hardy breed to raise, but sensitive tocold and wet; 
require warm, dry quarters, their heavy topknots hang- 
ing so far over their eyes as to interfere with their sight. 
They lay a large white egg of oblong shape, very creamy 
and rich, and for culinary uses is among the best quality. 
But the peculiar merit consists in their tame and quiet 
dispositions and fondness of attention, their extremely 
ornamental appearance on the lawn, graceful carriage, 
and the glossy and metallic lustre of their plumage, 
They are quite liable to pick each other’s crests, and 
