Br ah mas. 83 



chiefly because of their beauty, and that they can be kept in 

 places where large fowls cannot, as well as from the fact 

 that they make capital pets. In the Game section there 

 are all the varieties known in large game, and in the other 

 section we find Blacks (like Black Hamburghs), Whites, 

 Gold and Silver Sebrights (or laced), Japanese, Cuckoos, 

 Pekins, &c, but as they'have no commercial value we need 

 not do more than mention their names. 



Bbahmas. 



One of the most prominent of the breeds of poultry is the 

 Brahma, and from an exhibitor's, or fancier's point of view, 

 perhaps the most valuable. Two hundred dollars has been 

 occasionally paid for a first-class bird, and eggs from such 

 are almost literally worth their weight in gold ; but, of course, 

 there are plenty of good ones to be had at reasonable prices. 

 It is undoubtedly a manufactured breed, and for some years 

 there was a great controversy as to its origin. At the first 

 it was not very attractive in appearance ; but this was in time 

 remedied, and of late years it has been so carefully and 

 skilfully bred, that its cbaracteristics are firmly fixed and 

 clearly defined. It is chiefly valuable for its great size and 

 hardiness, and for laying well in winter, although the eggs 

 are often small and disproportionate to the size of the fowls 

 themselves, but they are rich in quality, next in this respect 

 to cochins. They are buff in color, and with many purchas- 

 ers this is a decided attraction. 



Brahmas cannot be regarded as first-class table fowls, so 

 far as quality of flesh is concerned, having the flesh laid 

 more on to the legs than the breast, which is always a dis- 

 advantage ; but when they are young they are by no means 

 to be despised, especially when their size is considered. For 

 a family fowl they are unequalled, and a large Brahma 



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