COCHINS. 



are to tldB day found in great numbers there. But the Shanghaes, 

 as originally introduced and tridely grown in this country, were 

 gigantio muBoular birds of great activity and wonderful powers 

 of storing away food, which was absorbed into muscle and boiie, 

 but made comparatively little juicy flesh. The consequence was, 

 they got a bad reputati6n, and the term was finally one of re- 

 proach; but upon the vast improvement which was made in them 

 by careful breeding, the name of Cochin*, as designated by' 

 cinnamon or white or buff or partridge, rapidly sujlerseded the 

 old term, and the despised but vastly improved Shanghae sailed 

 under ^ new name, and are now raised as profitable birds all over 

 the United States. 



They are first-class layers, and in season when new-laid eggs 

 are rare, and from their scarcity of so much increased value, this 

 species often proves a source from whence we can obtain supplies. 

 They also make capital mothers, and are quiet when sitting. 



In many places irhere space is limited, the Cochins are found 

 convenient guests; they can putup with worse accbinmodation, 

 and require less space than almost any ^ther race- I do not 

 mean to say that they will thrive the better for confinement, 

 neither that fowls in general will pine and die if kept in a narrow 

 range; all fowls are better for having ample space; but in, cases 

 where their liberties are necessarily abridged and more careful 

 tending ig required to counterbalance want of field-room, the 

 Cochin can bear captivity better than any other fowl. . 



The roosting-x>ol$s far Cochins and in fact all bulky fowls 

 should be near the ground; they should be large in diameter in 

 order that the claws may maintain a firm clutch and perfect > 

 equilibrium without inconvenience or effort. 



VARIETIES OF THE COCHIN. 



The Cochin fowl is a large heavy bird, very broad and clumsy 



