160 BREEDS. 



Tills breed is of elegant form, and graceful in 

 its movements. It may be called " everlasting 

 layer," because, untU in moult, the hen lays 

 almost every day; they seldom show a desire 

 to sit; it is the exception, and only indulged in 

 (I have found) when the birds had a free woodland 

 range, thereby clearly demonstrating the fact, 

 that domestication has impaired their sitting 

 powers. Originally, (of course), they must have 

 hatched their eggs like other fowls. I have found 

 both the Pencilled and Spangled varieties good 

 mothers. If not interfered with, (like the phea- 

 sant, in a fine season), she will rear all her brood, 

 but, like her, is quite dependent on weather. If 

 confined to a yard, I have never found the Ham- 

 burghs sit ; and their range, even if free, must be 

 wild, to induce a desire to perpetuate her species. 

 They are truly lovely and perfect creatures, 

 and, if size of egg is not a desideratum, this breed 



