A POULTRY COMPENDIUM. 7 



the Fur fowls, whose feathers excite your curiosity and 

 wonder; the Rumpless fowls, that seem as if the Creator 

 had started to make a model and had dropped it from 

 his hands in an unfinished state, that remind you, by 

 way of contrast, of the familiar quotation, "thereby hangs 

 a tail," their tails being lost like those of little Bo-Peep's 

 sheep; the Frizzles, which look as if they had been caught 

 out in a cyclone — the storm striking them in the rear — - 

 and had not had time since then to arrange their dis- 

 ordered garments; and many others that, by their appear- 

 ance and ways, have been universally pronounced desirable 

 for pets. 



It may not be unwise to caution the beginner against 

 starting with too many varieties. I know that this is an 

 oft-told tale, that "line upon line, precept upon precept, 

 here a little and there a little,'' have been given upon 

 this subject by our faithful poultry journals, a copy of 

 one of which, at least, and more, if he can afford, ought 

 to be in the hands of every breeder, whether veteran or 

 beginner. And I know that this valuable advice is not 

 always followed. There is need of constantly sounding 

 the warning, until beginners are able to overcome the 

 seductions of the many breeds, and like a faithful lover 

 remain true to one. One feels in full sympathy, while 

 considering this subject, with that clergyman who preached 

 from his pulpit the same sermon week after week, until 

 at last he was waited upon by a committee of the church 

 to expostulate with him for such a proceeding. His justi- 

 fication was briefly given: "I saw," he said, "that you 

 had not acted upon the advice I gave, and I am deter- 

 mined to preach that sermon until its suggestions are 



