THE POULTRY BOOK. 
121 
kept the Andalusian fowls for several years, and find they are the least trouble of 
any variety tried by me ; my runs are very limited, without grass-field or outlet ; 
and I have less sickness in this class than in Black Spanish. I obtained my first 
stock from Portsmouth, where they were landed from a Spanish trader in 1851. I 
consider them in all respects very superior for hardiness, and as layers. Coming 
to hand early, they no doubt would be a useful kind to breed as a table fowl, in 
the early part of the year. The hens usually commence laying in December, and 
continue with scarcely any omission until the following November, averaging four 
to five eggs each weekly. I have pullets, hatched early in March last, that com- 
menced laying in August, when little more than five months old. They are non- 
sitters; I have never had one instance of their wanting to hatch. I find the 
chickens very hardy, feathering early, and very precocious. I have had them cro v 
at six weeks old. I believe Andalusians to be a useful and beautiful variety, tha t 
only requires to be better known to be appreciated. I find them far wilder in 
their habits than Black Spanish, and also more pugnacious. As to feeding, my 
system is — corn in variety, night and morning; soft food in the middle of the day; 
meat once a week, with all the green food that can be procured from a large garden ; 
and I believe my birds are far healthier in their confined runs, than those of my 
neighbours having plenty of grass outlet. After fifteen years trial of them I find 
they still maintain their merits as a prolific and hardy breed ; they do not degen- 
erate, but maintain their characteristics without variation.” 
Mr. John Taylor, formerly one of the most enthusiastic amateurs of this variety, 
states in his description of them ; — The following are some of the points to 
which I attach most importance : comb large, erect, and evenly serrated ; cheek 
white ; legs bluish ; plumage bluish-grey or dove-colour, each feather being lightly 
margined with a darker tint. Hackles glossy, velvety, black, falling evenly on 
each side of the breast, in strong contrast to the colour of the latter ; tail full, 
carried very uprightly, with the sickle feathers well arched. The hens have the 
same colours, but their combs are pendent. 
“ Cocks will average in weight 71bs,, while the hens may be stated at about 
5|-lbs. Pullets hatched in April commence laying in October, and continue 
throughout the winter. Two pullets and three hens averaged 120 eggs each in 
the year. In shape and colour they resemble those of the Black Spanish. The 
hens seldom show any desire to sit ; but when this does happen, they prove them- 
selves excellent mothers. The chickens, unlike the Black Spanish, are feathered 
early, are hardy and very precocious. As a table fowl, I have a very high opinion 
of their excellence.” 
We may gather from this statement of Mr. Taylor’s, that the Andalusian has a 
fair title to be considered as a permanent variety of the Spanish family. The rich 
slate-colour of their bodies is well contrasted with the deep black of their hackle 
and tail ; while in size and vigour of constitution, especially as chickens, they seem 
to be on at least equal terms with their black relations. 
The title of Columbian fowls was formerly given to a large black variety of 
M 
