Hamburghs. 1 03 



tics can be largely retained, without the fear of constant 

 warfare. 



The chief kinds of games are black-breasted reds, brown- 

 breasted reds, duckwings and piles, all of which are very 

 handsome; and we cannot wonder at the popularity of the 

 breed amoug those who have opportunities for keeping it, 

 considering its great beauty, endurance and pluck. Among 

 suburban working-men it is the first favorite, and magnifi- 

 cent birds are often bred under the most unfavourable con- 

 ditions. The prices realized for high-class show specimens 

 are very great, and over $500 has been paid for a single cock 

 two or three times during the last three or four years. Of 

 course, good birds can be obtained at reasonable prices ; but 

 no one should attempt to keep this variety unless he has 

 plenty of room, and, for those whose object is profit, we can 

 Bcarcely recommend it except for crossing purposes. 



Hambtjkghs. 



First and foremost among all laying breeds of fowls stand 

 the Hamburghs, for they are undoubtedly the most prolific 

 layers we have, and it is no unusual thing for hens to lay 

 200 to 230 eggs per annum. Unfortunately, however, their 

 eggs are small, and the fowls do not bear confinement very 

 well. They have, from their great beauty, come to be regarded 

 as a fancier's fowl, pure and simple ; and whether we look at 

 1he cock, with his neat head, beautiful plumage, close com- 

 pact shape, and sweeping tail, ornamented by a well shaped 

 rose comb, and pure ear lobes, or at the hen, neat and saucy 

 as she appears, rich in colour and sprightly in carriage, we 

 cannot but be attracted by them. As show birds there are 

 five varieties now most recognized, namely, gold pencilled, 

 silver pencilled, gold spangled, silver spangled, and black. 

 Of all these the blacks are the most useful, they being much 



