36 
large, white eggs. For table purposes they are among the best fowls. 
They have small bones and the flesh is tender and delicious. The chicks 
are sprightly, active, and feather rapidly. They are nonsitters and light 
feeders; like the Leghorns, they may be fed at a small cost as compared 
with some of the larger breeds. They are of medium size and of a 
mottled white plumage, black and white intermixed, the black slightly 
predominating; wing bars and secondaries, black; primaries, black and 
white intermixed. Houdans are a crested variety, having a leaf comb, 
shaped somewhat 
like the letter V, 
which rests against 
the crest; crest of 
cock is large, well 
fitted upon the 
crown of the head, 
falling backward up¬ 
on the neck,and com¬ 
posed of feathers 
similar in shape aud 
texture to those of 
the hackle. The 
crest of the female 
is large, compact, 
and regular, inclin¬ 
ing backward in an unbroken mass. A peculiarity of the breed is their 
having five toes, like the Dorkings; shanks and toes are of a pinkish- 
white color. 
The standard weight of cocks is 7 pounds; hens, 6 pounds; cockerels, 
6 pounds; and pullets, 5 pounds. 
CREVECCEURS. 
This variety is not so generally known in this country as the Hou¬ 
dans, but in France, their native country, they are bred extensively 
for market purposes. They are considered of superior quality for the 
table, their flesh being white and delicately flavored. They are of gen¬ 
tle disposition and do well in confinement. They have weak constitu¬ 
tions and require extra care and attention. As layers they are only 
fair, and are nonsitters. They are a crested variety, having comb and 
crest similar to the Houdan; and in plumage are a rich, greenish black 
throughout. 
The standard weight of cocks is 8 pounds; liens, 7 pounds; cockerels, 
7 pounds; and pullets, G pounds. 
LA FLECHE. 
La Fleclie fowls differ in character from the other two breeds of French 
poultry mentioned. Houdans and Orevecceurs are more compactly 
built than La Fleche, the latter being tall and rather gaunt looking, 
Fig. 32.—Pair of Houdans. 
