86 PLYMOUTH BOCES. 



tinequaled, and being out-and-out an American breed, they adapt 

 themselves to all climates and situations better than any other 

 breed. Their combs and wattles being of moderate size, are not 

 liable to freeze, and they have no feathers on the lower part of 

 their legs to drabble in the snow and mud, and thereby chill 

 them. In plumage, they are bluish-gray, each feather distinctly 

 penciled across with bars of a darker color, hence are very 

 admirable,' and not likely to become soiled by the smoke and- 

 dust of the city. Added to their fine plumage, their symmetrical 

 form and upright and pleasing carriage enable them to vie with 

 most breeds, either upon the lawiy in the yard of the fancier, or 

 in the exhibition hall. As mothers, they are exoelleAt, being 

 neither non-sitters nor persistent sitters, are kind and gentle, 

 and good forageifs. In, disposition, they are quiet, gentle, and 

 cheerful, bear confinement woll, and are easily confined, their 

 -wings being too small, andbodieatoo large to admit to much 

 progress in flght. If given range, they will find their own living, 

 and if confined, need a remarkably small amount of food, for 

 such large fowls. In^'fine, this comparatively new breed com- 

 bines all the sturdy and excellent qualities of the ideal fowlto a 

 wonderful degree, (the merits of the large flesh-producing and 

 small egg-producing breeds,) filling a place long- sought for, but 

 never before attained, and is a golden mean. It is pre-eminently 

 the farmer's and mechanics' fowlr-i-in fiict the best fowl for ajl 

 who have facilities for keeping but one variety, and desire that 

 one to be a "general purpose" breed. 



