THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 



109 



spectacle, though on a small scale. To gratify the curi- 

 ous reader, I present below three cuts illustrat- 

 ing the first, middle, and last stages of incubation. 



FIRST STAGE OF INCUBATION. 



MIDDLE STAGE OP INCUBATION. 



CHICK JUST BEFORE HATCHING. 



Shortly before the time of hatching arrives, the 

 chickens may be heard to chirp and tap against the 

 walls of their shell. Soon a slight fracture is perceived 

 towards the upper end, caused by force from within. 



