236 



OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



horns protrude. It is a very good breed, hardy Plymouth Rocks. They possess the same qual- 

 and proof against dampness. These birds are ities, and differ only in the legs, which are red, 



useful as well as decorative ; they are hand- 

 some, and good layers. The chicks grow 

 rapidly and are much in favor 

 with dealers, who buy them 

 small to fatten. 



The Minorca breed, originat- 

 ing in the south of Europe, 

 may be considered as one of 

 the very best of laj^ers. The 

 eggs are large. The flesh, bitter 

 and rather dry, is not as desir- 

 able as that of the larger 

 breeds ; therefore they are 

 used chiefly as layers. Their 

 production of eggs is enor- 

 mous, but it takes place at a 

 time when the market is well 

 supplied and the prices low. It 

 usually ceases in winter, unless 

 the hens are given a warm 



Cocks' Combs are a Dainty 

 ?~oK Epicures 



and in the flesh, which is white in the former, 

 whereas that of the buff Plymouth Rocks is 

 yellowish. Also the latter are 

 a little taller in the legs, and 

 slimmer, the Orpingtons being 

 coarser in shape. The Ply- 

 vioiitli Rocks may be speckled, 

 light yellow, or white. The 

 breeding of speckled fowls 

 often affords surprises. Some- 

 times they turn out all black, 

 with legs of another color. The 

 Rocks bear a striking resem- 

 blance to the Wyandottes, with 

 this difference, — that while the 

 latter have a double crest the 

 Rocks ha\-e but one. 



The Cochin China fowls can 

 without contradiction be ranked 

 as a oiant breed. When first 



house where they will not suffer from cold, imported from China into England such a 



which they cannot endure. To prevent their reputation came with them that the "hen with 



enormous crests from freezing, which happens the golden eggs" was supposed to be found; 



quickly, they should be covered with glycerin, but it was not long before poultry raisers found 



The Aiidaliisian breed is not popular in the that they had been mistaken or deceived. Since 



United States. It belongs, like the Minorca, to then they ha\'e been no longer valued as layers, 



the medium-sized races, and the hens 

 are valued exclusively for their 

 eggs, which are numerous . 

 and constantly laid, though / 

 in winter their crests /. 

 make them bad brooders. 

 This species has but one 

 color, — steel blue. 



The Oifing'tons are the 

 last no\'elty. They pos- 

 sess many fine qualities, 

 and are the product of the 

 crossing of several good 

 breeds. The best are the Buff 

 Orpingtons, which lay many large 

 eggs and have excellent flesh. They 

 are to England what the Houdans 



Black Minorca Cock 



but merely as ornamental birds. They 

 look \'ery well in the poultry 

 yard, where they impose re- 

 \ spect by their lordly bear- 

 ing. The cocks attain a 

 \ weight of ten or twelve 

 pounds. The hens are 

 ': poor layers and their 

 eggs are small. They 

 , are, however, good sit- 

 / ters, though their weight 

 often destroys the whole 

 brood. When they have laid 

 about fourteen or fifteen eggs 

 they begin to sit. The flesh of 

 these birds is not savory. The only 



thing that can be said in their favor 

 are to France or what the Wyandottes are to is that when their colors are fine they are 

 America. At first sight persons ignorant of magnificent birds and excite universal admira- 

 poultry cannot tell the Orpingtons from the tion. 



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