THE POULTRY BOOK. 
163 
in the afternoon, either barley or oats, with a most liberal supply of green-meat, 
such as cabbages or grass. Spangled Hamburghs are rather susceptible of cold ; 
but I generally find that a few mashed potatoes, with a little cayenne-pepper, 
always relieves them. I have kept them in the manner I have described for the 
last three years, and have never had a fowl ill with roup or any other disease. I 
believe that when thus confined, cleanliness and a liberal supply of food are most 
essential. I have kept many other breed of fowls, but have found that none of 
them would better bear confinement for any length of time. As regards the 
number of eggs laid by Spangled Hamburghs, I think it far exceeds that of any 
other variety. Mine average 220 a year from each hen — I am now writing of birds 
that are kept confined. To keep them free from vermin, it is essential that they 
should be supplied with a sand bath, which they use daily.” 
Little more remains to be said respecting the varieties of Spangled Ham- 
burghs; their elegance and utility are daily increasing the number of their 
admirers ; and they promise in a short time to be as highly appreciated in the 
south as they have long been in the north of England. In fact, until recently, 
they were scarcely known in the southern counties : and even as late as 1852, it 
was stated in Baily on Fowls,” that they were good mothers” — a very con- 
vincing proof of the prevailing ignorance respecting them. As egg-producers 
they are unquestionably unrivalled ; they commence laying at a very early age ; 
never require to sit ; rapidly get through their moult ; and, if well fed, lay steadily 
during winter, unless the weather is very severe. 
Spangled Hamburghs are not only larger but much hardier than the Pencilled 
birds, being infinitely less subject to roup. During chickenhood, however, they do 
not possess the hardihood of Cochins or Brahmas, and therefore it is not desirable 
to hatch them before April or May ; nor do they thrive so well as the Asiatics, if 
hatched at a late period of the year. 
Hamburghs are valued in accordance with the perfection of their peculiar and 
characteristic markings, rather than by size or weight. It follows from this circum- 
stance, that any cross-bred birds from any of the varieties must be of but very 
small value. The great merit of Hamburghs is as egg-producers, — a property 
which depends on their non-incubating habits : but cross-bred birds, as before 
stated, even if between two varieties that do not sit, are generally good mothers, 
and their broodiness necessarily interferes with their egg-producing powers. Never- 
theless, it is always interesting to trace the result of such alliances ; and we there- 
fore extract from the Field the letter of a correspondent detailing the results of 
some experiments in cross-breeding Pencilled and Spangled Hamburghs with other 
varieties. 
1st. A cross between a Golden-pencilled Hamburgh cock and Spanish hen. — 
The chickens were not very large. Colour : the greater part of them bronze, and 
one or two black; legs black; single and rose-combs. Not very hardy; good 
layers ; small eggs. 
2nd. Golden-pencilled Hamburgh hen and Golden- spangled Bearded Polish 
