Of the domestic F., there are some .very curious varieties, of which some naturalists have attempted to constitute distinct species, particularly the _NEono F. (G. mono), rarely seen in British poultry-yards, tOmarkable for the black color of the periosteunt (the outer covering of the bones), and the dull purple of the comb; wattles, and skin: the Srxav F. (G. lanatus), very common in China and Japan, with periosteum and skin of the same dark color as the negro F., but the flesh remarkably Aite, the comb and wattles purple,, the feathers with webs disunited and silky; and the FittEstaxo (probably a mistake for FRIZZLED) F. (G. crispus), which has all the feathers standing nearly at right angles to the body.
There are also varieties of the domestic F. remarkable for what may be considered monstrosities—as the want of a tail and of stand of the last vertebra, the presence of an additional spur on each leg (Dorkings, etc.), supernundant combs, crests or tufts of hackle feathers instead of combs, tufts of feathers from the lower jaw (the SIBERIAN F.), etc.; and there are many varieties esteemed iby keepers of poultry, of which the most important are-1. The GramE F., with erect and slender body and showy colors, valued also for the delicacy of the flesh and of the eggs, although the eggs are rather small. It is this breed which is used for cock-fighting; and so excessive is the pugnacity which characterizes it, that broods scarcely feathered are occasionally found to have reduced themselves to utter blindness by their combats. Some poultry keepers think it good to have a game-cock in their poultry•yard, on account of the improvement of the quality of the fowls sent to the table; but it is almost needless to say, he must, like the prototype of Robinson Crusoe, be sole monarch of all he sur veys. 2. The DORKING F., so named frvm Dorking, in Surrey, where it has long been bred in great numbers for the London 'market—a breed characterized by an addi tional spur on each leg; often of a white color, with short legs; one of the most useful •of all breeds, both for excellence of flesh and for abundance of eggs. 3. The Pomsll
F., black, with a white tuft, a breed very extensively reared in France, Egypt, etc., little inclined to incubation, but valued for an almost uninterrupted laying of eggs. 4. The SPANISH F., very ,similar to the Polish, but larger, and laying larger eggs, on account of which it is now much valued, and. very common in Britain; black, with white cheeks and large red comb. 5. The MALAY F., tall and handsome, very pugna cious, but little esteemed. 6. The HAMBURG, of very plumage, and much valued for the quality both of flesh and eggs, as also for extreme productiveness of eggs. 7. The COCHIN CHINA F., a large, tall, ungraceful variety, with small tail and wings, for which there was a great rage among poultry-fanciers when it was newly introduced into Britain, particularly about the year 1852, and which is valuable chiefly on account of its fecundity, eggs being laid even during winter, and the hens tneubating fre 'quently. 8. The Baivram P. (q.v.), a diminutive variety. rather curious than useful. —Of most of these there are many subvarieties and fancy silver penciled, etc. The common DUNGHILL F. is apparently a breed produced by the intermixture of others, and perhaps chiefly a less graceful, less spirited, and less pugna cmua race of the game fowl.
Concerning the treatment of the domestic F. in the poultry-yard, the diseases to which it is liable, etc.. see PouLritv. The artificial hatching of eggs is noticed in the article INCUBATION. Concerning the eggs of the domestic F. as an article of commerce, etc., see EGG.
The readiness with which the domestic F. can be induced to go on laying eggs far beyond the number proper for a brood, is not nearly equaled in the case of any other domesticated bird, and greatly enhances the usefulness of this species to mankind, whether the eggs are used for food, or, by artificial hatching, made to produce chickens, as is common in Egypt arid some other countries. Few hens incubate oftener than once a year, but some lay in the course of a year even more than 200 eggs.