84 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



chicken is sufficient for the dinner of a moderate sized 

 family. For crossing purposes they are very useful, when 

 table fowls are in view, and we shall have occasion to recom- 

 mend them for that purpose. 



There are two varieties of Brahmas, the dark and the 

 light, of which we give three illustrations. Both of these are 

 alike, save in colour. The shape of a good bird is most pleas- 

 ing, as they are well-proportioned and very handsome ; the 

 heavily-feathered legs, the deep massive bodies, the neat 

 heads, with small pea-combs, all combine to complete the 

 effect. They are capital sitters and mothers — though when 

 old, rather clumsy and heavy for this purpose, are very docile, 

 can be kept on almost any soil that is not absolutely always 

 wet, are fairly good as layers, and whilst they should have a 

 fair amount of liberty they do not require very extensive 

 runs, and can always be kept within bounds by a three-foot 

 fence. 



Cochins. 



At one time this was the most popular breed of all, and 

 there are many now living who can 'remember the Cochin 

 mania of thirty years ago. Fabulous sums were then 

 given for both eggs and chickens, sums which are not ex- 

 ceeded by the high prices now obtained, and poultry shows 

 were at that time crowded by the fashion and beauty of the 

 period, and were mines of wealth to the promoters. It 

 was expected that the hens would lay two or three eggs 

 a day, and many persons invested their money in them in 

 the hope of thus making a fortune. But the breed was 

 never worth the fuss made about it, and soon subsided 

 into the background, so far as its commercial qualities were 

 concerned. Cochins somewhat resemble Brahmas in shape 

 and appearance, but have more abundant feather, and are 

 rather rounder. They are fairly good as winter layers, but 



