254: 
VERTEBRATA. 
admirable patience in hatching them, her industrious care and assiduous labor in feeding her 
chickens, and her courage and energy in defending them, have always excited admiration. 
Of the Domestic Fowl there are numerous varieties, each of which possesses some remarkable 
characteristics. The importance of poultry as a source of national wealth* has attracted great atten- 
tion of late years, and consequently the various breeds of fowls have been the theme of careful in- 
vestigation. The following are the most noted varieties : 
The pure Shanghai Fowl : this is an enormously large bird. The cock stands twenty-eight 
inches high ; weighs from ten to twelve pounds ; is hardy, productive, and of a docile temper, and 
its flesh is tender and juicy. There are many varieties and several inferior kinds. 
The Cochin China Fovtl resembles the preceding, but is somewhat smaller ; its qualities are 
similar. 
The Malay Fowl stands twenty-six inches high, and weighs from ten to twelve pounds. The 
eggs are large and oval, and two of them are equal to three from the common breed. The cock 
is noted for his courage. The flesh does not take the first rank. 
The Pheasant Malay Fowl, a variety of the preceding, is a useful and ornamental kind. 
The Guelderland Fowl, brought from North Holland, is jet black; they are good layers; 
their flesh excellent ; they are inferior to none for beauty or utility. 
The DoRKiNa Fowl, which has been called the Capon Fowl of England, is of various colors. 
The white breed is the most noted ; they are hardy, prolific, easily raised, and the flesh is excel- 
lent. The colored Dorkings are supposed to be mixtures with other breeds. 
The Spanish Fowl is black, and the hens are noted for continuous laying, without a disposi- 
tion to sit. With many it is a favorite breed. 
GAME FOWLS. 
The Game Fowls are instinctive fighters, even the chickens, before they are fully fledged, being 
often stone blind from wounds received in their contests. Their chief use, in former times, has 
been as combatants in the cock-pit. This amusement is of some antiquity, and was formerly 
* The following memoranda will be sufScient to establish the value of domestic poultry, in the light of political 
economy: ANNUAL CONSUMPTION OF EGGS. 
In France (produced) 8,000,000,000 In the United States, estimated 6,000,000,000 
In Paris (consumed) 160,000,000 Annually imported into England from France, 60,000,000 
In London, estimated 350,000,000 " " " Ireland, T5,000,000 
In New York, estimated 150,000,000 
Yalae of Poultry of the United States, estimated, $40,000,000; of France, $70,000,000; of Great Britain, $55,000,000. 
