CHICKENS AND DUCKLINGS. 227 



with straw, as in a stable, and as regularly re- 

 newed, for tte feathering is so delicate in colour 

 and texture that it is easily soiled and ruffled by 

 damp. I do not consider Cochins good table 

 fowls unless when quite young, and I conse- 

 quently advise their being kept principally as 

 egg-layers and sitters. Pure-bred birds com- 

 mand high prices, and at all our principal shows 

 the classes fill weU. Each fancier has her or his 

 individual taste regarding colour, and, as the 

 varieties are numerous, if the points and qualities 

 are good, colouring only holds a secondary place. 

 White Cochins, from the contrast of the scarlet 

 comb, yellow bill, and snowy plumage, are pe- 

 culiarly attractive, and they are quite as robust 

 as the coloured birds, but they must have a clean 

 grass run, and be seen only under a pure sky. 

 They are apt to become yellow if exposed much 

 to the sun ; so require a shaded yard — if the 

 birds are intended for exhibition — the yellow 

 tinge being a great disqualification. To those 

 who have the wish to breed early chickens for 

 market, I confidently recommend crossing the 

 Cochin hen with a Dorking cock. The chickens 



