218 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
‘^Abundant layers of moderate-sized eggs, they in tins point far excel the 
Crevecoeurs, wliicli are only moderate in this respect, and tlieir broken plumage 
of black and white, handsome crests, and branching coral combs, make them 
fully their equals in point of beauty. My chickens of this year are the object oi 
admiration, for their size and beauty, to all visitors to the yard, and I am quite 
jealous of the new comers putting my old favourite Sultans and White Cochins 
so much in the shade. 
‘‘As a cross with our common breeds, they are of inestimahle value, not only 
from the certainty of the introduction of thoroughly alien blood, but also from the 
valuable characteristics I have named. 
“ The abominable fifth claw, which I suppose must be insisted on as a mark of 
purity of breed, is by no means a certainty, as many chickens come four-clawed, 
and it would not be difficult to breed it out, but I must say, as far as my obser- 
vation extends, it has not in this breed the detrimental effect it has on our 
highly-bred Dorkings, much of whose tendency to disease of the foot and claw 
I attribute to this monstrosity. 
“ By careful attention to breeding for size, and avoidance of inter-breeding, I 
feel sure this variety will ere long surpass our far-famed Dorkings, whose increasing- 
delicacy of constitution fits them only for certain favoured climates and soils, and 
materially lessens their utility. 
“ Now, for the La Fleche — long, weird, hobgoblin-looking birds, prolific layers 
of tremendous eggs of moderate fertility; large and turkey-like, they are far 
superior to Spanish as table birds, and fully equal them as layers. 
“ They are less hardy than Houdans, and their chickens much more difficult to 
rear, being like the Crevecoeurs, subject to throat attacks. They are liable not 
only to the disease known as gapes, but also to inflammation of the windpipe, 
accompanied by mucous deposit, producing what is familiarly known as “the 
rattles.” The specimens we see in the show-pens are invariably jet or brown- 
black; but I find the chickens are by no means true to this colour, for in the 
blackest, white feathers appear on the wings, and many come with chestnut and 
grey wings and breasts. I would warn those who must have them black, not to 
breed from brown-black hens, but from jet-blacks. 
“ The adult cock^ as might be supposed from their length of limb, and size of 
body, are much subject in this climate to leg-w^eakness and disease of the knee- 
joint, and suffer much from travelling to and from shows. 
“In the foregoing remarks I have treated these breeds from an economical 
point of view, not as exhibition birds ; and I believe the best interests of the 
community will be served by making all points subservient to size, health, and 
condition. 
“ In Crevecoeurs I should look for size, handsome antler-like comb, full pen- 
dulous wattles, full crest, squareness and fulness of body, and sound health and 
condition ; plumage black, mixed with straw or red, or all black indifferently, full 
rich hackle, and well sickled tail. 
