SPANtSH FOWL. , 13 



body feathers in moulting, besides the usual falling oflf of the 

 neck, and wing, and tail feathers; and when thus stripped, the 

 poor birds look very miserable in bad weather. 



In sitting Spanish eggs,'nine of them are sufficient for hens of 

 ordinary size, as they are much larger than the generality of 

 fowls eggs. 



It will be unwise, with any breed, to select the first dozen of 

 a pullet's eggs for hatching; they being comparatively immature 

 and small, it is not likely that large and strong chicks will be 

 the issue. Besides, pullets occasionally do not enter into tender 

 union with their male companions until they haye laid fire or 

 six eggs. 



The color of the Spanish chick, when first hatched, i^ a shining 

 black, with a blotch of white sometimes on the brieast, and a 

 little white also around the bill and the eyes. They do not until 

 nearly grown, get -their full feathers, and ^therefore they should 

 be hatched at a farorable season of the year, - to be well feathered 

 before it grows cold in the Fall. 



Spanish hens seldom exhibit a disposition to undertake the 

 task of incubation, and if it be attempted, they will in-, the gen- 

 erality of cases forsake the nest long before the chicks would be 

 hatched. . Sometimes, however, they will perseveringly perform 

 the maternal duties; but it is against their general character. 

 They are exceedingly long in the leg, consequently are subject 

 to cramp; this partly accounts for their being so averse to such 

 sedentary occupation. Since, therefore, they will not undertake 

 the office of mothers, we must impose it upon some other class 

 of fowl, that will not only accept thfe task, but will joyfully hatch 

 and rear the youno; of even another species until they are able to 

 take care of . .^jj^-ilves. It is by this means the Spanish breed 

 is still preserved a^d multiplied. 



