112 BREEDS. 



other kind I know. The chickens are hardy and 

 easy to rear ; I very seldom lose any, and I have 

 noticed that they are more clever in the treatment 

 of themselves when they are ill than other fowls ; 

 when they get out of order, they will generally 

 fast until eating is no longer injurious. I should 

 Hke to know if you have noticed this peculiarity 

 in the Brahma.* I believe I am prejudiced in 

 their favour, but it is from experience of their 

 merits perhaps ; so, not exactly prejudiced, but 

 convinced. I was among the first to import 

 them, rather largely, and after keeping them just 

 over seven years, I would not give them up for 

 any other variety that I have tried. 



" The worst accusation their enemies can ad- 

 vance against them is, that no one knows their 

 origin ; but this is applicable to them only as it 

 is when applied to Dorkings, Spanish, Polands, 

 and all the other kinds which have been brought 

 to perfection by careful breeding, working on 

 good originals. All we have in England are 

 descended from fowls imported from the United 

 States, and the best account of them is, that a 



* Quite correct. — E. A. 



