264 FRENCH POULTRY. 



the " Houdan," whether viewed as table or merely 

 omamental poultry. My experience has been 

 acquired principally in Scotland; therefore, if 

 any birds thrive in this cold and often damp 

 climate, they ought to do even better in more 

 favoured quarters. The " Houdan/' " La Fleche," 

 " Cr&ve Coeur," and " La Bresse" breeds are all 

 excellent as table poultry, and all lay large white 

 eggs with almost equal regularity, — perhaps the 

 " Cr6ve Coeur " less frequently than the others, — • 

 and they are also decidedly the most dependent 

 upon a dry soil, good exposure, and comfortable 

 housing.. The " Houdan " is very hardy, and can 

 live anywhere. They eat little, moult with ease, 

 and are precocious layers. Pullets hatched in 

 May are laying by October, and if their eggs 

 were set at once, the produce would bring large 

 prices as spring chickens in March. I have it 

 much at heart to introduce these " model hens " 

 into our farm-yards, and make them, 'par excel- 

 lence, the farm-yard bird. The "Houdans" are 

 well known and sufficiently appreciated in France, 

 where they rival, and many think excel, the better- 

 known " CrSve Coeur. " and " La Fleche " breeds. 



