La Fleche. 99 



table qualities, and for the great feast of Mardi gras, held 

 in Paris on Shrove Tuesday, it is no uncommon thing for 

 one hundred francs to be given for a pair of these birds, 

 weighing 101b. each, plucked and dressed. The flesh is beau- 

 tifully white, and there is plenty of depth on the breast. They 

 feed well, but, unfortunately, have been found in America to 

 be somewhat delicate, at least in damp situations, and where 

 they have not full liberty. It was formerly thought that they 

 were too delicate for England; but in the year 1882, Mr. 

 W. B. Tegetmeier, when over in Paris, was so struck with 

 the table qualities of these fowls that he purchased some 

 for his own use. These he placed in his grounds at Finchley, 

 on the north side of London, where the bed of clay is one 

 of the heaviest in the neighbourhood of the Metropolis. 

 The birds were given full liberty, and his experience has 

 been that they are as hardy as any other breed when so 

 kept. In confinement they are undoubtedly delicate, but 

 with freedom can be kept by almost any one. They are 

 large, tall, well-shaped birds, with glossy, green-black 

 plumage : have red faces, white ears, and a horned comb, 

 the last of which does not add to their beauty, giving them 

 an almost satanic appearance. They are clean legged, the 

 legs being dark in colour, are non-sitters, and in France 

 are specially bred for table qualities. 



The Creve-Coeur is a large bird, with metallic black plumage, 

 but of a lower, squarer build than La Fleche. It is also 

 much more attractive in appearance ; its head is surmounted 

 by a handsome crest, which, in young hens especially, is 

 beautifully round and pleasing. The legs are also black, 

 but the flesh is almost equal to the best English or French 

 fowl. It is hardy, easily reared on any moderately dry 

 soil, is a non-sitter, and a fairly good layer, but the eggs 

 are small. It is necessary to have a good shelter for 

 Creves, so that they can be protected in wet or cold weather, 



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