THE CALL OF THE HEN. 1038 
My birds in Massachusetts were bred for eggs only for years, and 
their type became set and their pelvic bones contracted, when not laying, 
to average about 25 per cent; but I find that hens bred promiscuously 
contract about 50 per cent. 
The points to be borne in mind in using this System are: 
That selection by the pelvic bones alone is best made in the flush 
of laying. 
That thin pelvic bones and soft abdomen indicate the egg type. 
. That thick pelvic bones and hard, fleshy, fatty abdomen indicate 
the beef type. 
The size of the abdomen indicates the capacity of the bird, either 
as an egg or as a meat proposition as the case may be—large abdomen, 
large capacity; small abdomen, small capacity. 
The same rules apply to the cockerel, cock, male bird, or rooster, 
as he may be called. 
In order to determine the capacity of a hen for egg-production by 
one selection, she should be in normal condition and not more than a 
few days broody. 
The estimates in this document refer to hens about one year old. 
As a rule, they will lay less each year as they grow older—how much 
less depends on the vitality of the hen, other things considered. 
SUPPLEMENT TO WALTER HoGAn’s SYSTEM. 
If you will get a little 1-foot rule to check yourself up while getting 
used to measuring with the tips of your fingers, as in Fig. 4, you will 
have no trouble in applying its principles right. You can hold the bird 
feet up and head down between your knees while you are measuring; 
then hold as in Fig. 4, and learn to estimate the width right. Anything 
under 1 inch will not pay, all over 114 inches will pay; from 1 to 1*/; 
inches are doubtful; 2 inches is about the 200-egg type; 2°/s inches about 
the 250-egg type, and 234 inches about the 280-egg type. 
Hens measuring from 1 to 1*/s inches should be put in a yard while 
being fed well and looked over once a week at night in the dark for 
about eight weeks, if you wish to make a careful test. Any that come 
up or down in measurement can be put in the good or bad yards, as the 
case may be. Hens will go up or down about 25 per cent in measurements 
as they are in flush of laying or not. The best time to examine hens is 
after dark while on roost, which should be about 18 inches from the floor. 
Place left hand on back of hen, lift up tail with thumb of right hand, and 
apply tips of fingers to pelvic bones. With a little practice you will 
be able to inspect thirty per minute. It is admitted by all physicians, 
professors, and students of physiology that I have talked with in regard 
to this matter that the abdominal capacity of a hen, together with a 
strong vital temperament, has everything to do with her value as a 
laying proposition. The pelvic bones (being a continuation of the body 
structure of the fowl and subject to very small changes in the formation 
of flesh) are, when comparatively straight and thin, an index to the width 
of the abdomen, and the best if not the only one we have, as they protrude 
from the body and may be easily measured. The depth of the abdomen 
can be taken by placing the palm of the hand crosswise below, between 
the pelvic bones and the rear of the breast-bone. Sometimes it will be 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 fingers. (A finger means 34 of an inch.) Also place 
