216 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[July, 
LA FLECHE. 
like a crest, and allows room in front for the 
comb. Tliis is singularly shaped, and I shall 
again quote Jlr. Jacque: ‘ Comb various, but 
always forming two horns; sometimes parallel, 
straight andlloshy, sometimes joined at the base 
slightly notched, pointed, and separating at their 
e.xtremities; sometimes adding to this latter 
description interi¬ 
or ramifications 
like, the horns of 
a youngdecr. (The 
cock in the back¬ 
ground is of this 
variet}'', and shows 
Ibis appearance.) 
'I'lie same author 
says: ‘The comb, 
shaped like horns, 
gives the Creve- 
eoeur the appear¬ 
ance of a devil.’ 
'I’he legs should 
be black, or very 
dark slate blue. 
Their plumage 
should be entire¬ 
ly black, having 
bright blue and 
green metallic 
lustre, e.vcept the feathers of the belly, which 
arc dark brown. The hens should weigh from 
5 lbs. to 6 lbs. each; the weight of the cock 
should be 7 to 7i pounds. The deportment, 
of the Crevccoeur is staid, solemn, and grave. 
“ The La Fleche is a singular bird ; with a 
strong, firm body, well seated on its legs, and 
long muscular feet. Appearing smaller than it 
really is, because the feathers are close ; every 
muscular part well developed; black plumage. 
The La Fleche is the tallest of all French cocks; 
it has many points of resemblance to the 
Spanish, from which Jacque believes it to be 
descended, by crossing with the Crevecceur. It 
has white, loose, and transparent skin; short, 
juicy, and delicate 
flesh, which puts on 
fat easily. As hiyers 
they are superior, like 
the Crevecceur, to any 
breed except the 
Spanish; but yet, for 
table use, thej' are not 
as good as the Dor¬ 
king. The La Fleche 
has the body of the 
Spanish placed on 
legs set forward, im¬ 
mediately under the 
breast rather than the 
body cf the bird. It 
has a bold, cheeifnl, 
lively face; but ihe 
general impression is 
curious from the ex¬ 
traordinary comb, of 
which I will give the 
description from Mr. 
Jacque: ‘Transver¬ 
sal, double, forming 
tw® horns bending 
lorw’ard, united at their base, divided at 
their summits; sometimes even and iiointed, 
sometimes having ramifications on tlie inner 
sides. A little combling protrudes from the up¬ 
per part of the nostrils; and, although hardly as 
large as a pea, this combling, which surmounts 
the sort of rising formed by the protrusion of 
the nostrils, contributes to the singular aspect of 
the head. This measured prominence of the 
comb seenis to add to the characteristic depres¬ 
sion of the beak, and gives the bird a likeness 
to a rhinoceros.’ [A very singular bird, truly.] 
“It should have a large deaf-ear, perfectly 
white; not so large as the Spanish, but larger 
than that of any other fowl. It has slate blue 
HOTOAJf. 
GROUP OF FRENCH FOWLS. 
legs, darker or lighter according to age, turning 
to a spotted gray as they get old. The hens 
differ from the cock only by having a smaller 
comb. He must have a white ear-lobe. These 
are a peculiar but a stylish breed; they are very 
good layers, and the chickens are easy to rear.” 
Of the Bantams Mr. Saunders says: “They have 
long been favorites; their small size, their beau¬ 
ty, and their impudence gaining them admirers. 
Many years since, only those that were feath¬ 
ered to the toes were admired. The late John 
Sebright, by much attention and a thorough 
knowdedge of the subject, succeeded in produc¬ 
ing birds of surpassing beauty and symmetiy. 
Those that bear his name are the most appre¬ 
cr.EVECtEur.. 
G.VMK BANTAMS. AVIIITE FEATIIEB-LEGGED BAKTAM.S. SILTEK SPANGLED SKABr.lGUTS. 
G K O U P OF BA N T AM FOWLS. 
ciated by fanciers. Tliey are of two colors, 
gold and silver; they must have double combs, 
with pointed end and rising upwards, and well- 
seated on the head, firmly fixed, not inclining 
to one side, nor yet raised on a fleshy pedestal; 
laced feathers, each being edged Avith black; 
blue legs, without even the sign of a feather on 
them; uinight tail, tipped .with black at the 
point, which must be round and equal in 
width to the Avidest part of the feather; there 
should not be even a tendency to a curve in it. 
The side tail-feathers rising from the back to 
the tail should also be flat, round-topped, and 
accurately laced. There must not be any 
hackle or saddle. These are the principal points 
of the male. The 
hen requires the 
same comb, the 
same accurate lac¬ 
ing,I he prominent 
bi'casl, di’ooping 
wing, her head 
should be very 
Sinall, beak sharp. 
Tlie ca.rriaee of 
these birds should 
resemble that of 
a good Fantail 
pigeon; the head 
and tail should 
be carried up, in 
the strut of the 
bird, until they 
nearly meet, and 
the wing should 
drop doAvn the 
side, instead of be¬ 
ing carried up. In both sexes the Aving-feathers 
should be tipped with black, and even the long 
feathers laced. Like all other first-class birds, 
these are difficult to get; and lest amateurs 
should be discouraged, I may almost venture to 
say, a faultless bird is hardly to be found. 
Prom the best-bred parents, single-combed 
chickens Avill constantly appear, but these will 
again produce perfectly double-combed proge¬ 
ny. Such are, hoAvever, to be trusted, Avhen 
the possessor of them is sure that, although 
defective themselves, their parents were fault¬ 
less in this particular. It is never advisable to 
breed from a faulty bird, if a perfect one can 
be obtained. Small size is a desideratum in 
these fowls. They 
are, therefore, sel¬ 
dom bred earl}", as 
groAvth is not desired, 
July is early enough 
to hatch them. Per¬ 
fect cocks should not 
Aveigh more than 
seventeen ouuces, nor 
hens more than four¬ 
teen. Other Bantams, 
to pretend to excel¬ 
lence, should be di¬ 
minutive as the Se¬ 
bright, and should 
have the same arro¬ 
gant gait; but they 
differ, inasmuch as 
the males should be 
large cocks in minia¬ 
ture, with hackle, 
saddle, and tail fully 
developed. The rule 
of comb is not so im¬ 
perative. In black 
and Avhite birds it 
should be double; but it is not so necessaiy, 
nor does the substitution of a single one cause 
disqualification. In the black breed.s, white 
deaf-ears are necessary to excellence; and in 
these and the Avhite, the sickle feathers should 
be long and Avell carried. Feathered-legged 
bantams may be of any color. The Bantams 
are good layers and mothers, and easily reared.” 
