LANGSEAKSi 



delay." * • * A second letter stated that "the fowls I am 

 sending you are very fine. Their plumage is of a bright glossy 

 black. I have never seen any like them before, and I am told 

 their flesh is excellent. The Chinese say they are allied to the 

 wild turkey; they are very' valuable birds. You must be very 

 careful of them, and get them acclimated by degrees." 



These birds we sent to Major A.. C. Croad, Durington Worth- 

 ing, England, from his nephew, who was, a few years ago, upon 

 an exploring expedition under orders from the English govern- 

 ment, in the north of China, where he discovered this fine variety 

 of ibwls, in the province of LangsTum, and sent home the first 

 that were ever seen in England. 



Upon the arrival of the AreM^g, in England, M^or Croad 

 lost no time in sending for his birds; and the messenger, on his 

 return, informed him that the new arrivafs bad received quite an 

 ovation in the docks, people crowding to have a look at them, 

 asking what breed they were, ^.nd whether they were for sale, 

 etc. The captain of tibe steamer told him that, although' he had 

 been several times i» china, he had never met vrith any fowls 

 like these before. 



The Langshans were publicly exhibited the next year at the 

 Crystal Palace and other leading shows, and were bred success- 

 fully for three or four years, the stock being kept under the 

 supervision ot the agents of the original importer. 



They were of late years imported to America, and our Ameri- 

 can fanciers speak well of them; in fact they are the best birds 

 that were ever imported from China. Xangshans have straight 

 red combs, somewhat larger than those of Cochins., Their 

 breast is full, broad and round, and carried well forward, being 

 well meated, similar to the Dorkings. Their body is round and 

 deep like the Brahmas. The universal color of the plumage is a 

 rich metallic black. The tail is long, full feathered, and of the. 

 same color as the body. The color of their legs is a blue black, 



