THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 55 



laying is preternaturally lengthened out, or is almost 

 continuous from spring to spring, this natural desire is 

 greatly weakened, or indeed altogether subdued. The 

 hen betrays but little anxiety to incubate, and continues 

 to lay eggs as if for no other purpose than to repay her 

 keeper. Hence, to obtain a brood of this stock, (and it 

 should be kept in its purity,) the eggs must be put under 

 a good sitter, of any common breed, a few of which may 

 be kept for the express purpose, and thus the fancier may 

 replenish his stock. It is not often that pure everlasting 

 fowls are to be seen, and this renders it the more de- 

 sirable that those who possess breeds should sedulously 

 preserve them from admixture ; a cross will spoil the 

 hens as "everlasting layers," without rendering them 

 enduring, patient sitters. 



THE CUCKOO FOWL. 



Synonymes. — Gallics gallinaceus (var.?), of Ray ; Cuckoo Fowl, of the 

 Norfolk Farmyards, England ; Barn-Door Fowl, of the English and 

 Anglo-Americans. 



This variety, there is good reason to believe is old 

 and distinct, though it is generally looked upon as a 

 mere "barn-door fowl ;" that is, the accidental result of 

 promiscuous crossing. But there are several forms 

 among the " bai n-door fowls," so called, that are seen to 

 be repeated generation after generation, the counter- 

 parts of which are to be met with scattered here and 

 there over this country as well as Europe. So constant 

 a repetition of corresponding features would seem to de- 

 clare, that there are several unnoticed and undistin- 

 guished varieties of fowl, which deserve to be regarded 

 and treated as we do other distinct sorts. 



The objection to the adoption of this view and 

 mode of practice is, that it would inconveniently multi- 

 ply the number of species, and give additional trouble to 

 naturalists and poultry fanciers. But the multiplicity 

 of Nature's work's always has been infinite, in reference 

 to man's power of understanding them. The only won- 



