THE CUCKOO CREEPERS. • •

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 281, 18 October 1889, Page 4

THE CUCKOO CREEPERS. • •

Mrs E. A. Hills gives the follow ttg account of this breod in tlio Oalifornian Oackler : — " 'JLhey are a Scotch fowl, haying- been first seen in Southern 8-otland. For some time the only attention given them was by gardeners who could allow them to range in their fields and do mere good thnn harm among vegetables. The Creepers have very short legs, the description I have calling for two inches iroin hock to ball of foot. It is comical to see j them attempt to ec>atch. They succeed very well for a time or two, bnt tire out and conclude they are not built to scratch for a living anyhow. When des'itive of feathers . the body is much the form of a duck, only the Creeper has a great abim dance of breast meat, bnt, of couive, loses on length of thighs. The breast meat is of excellent quality, ) and not surp ssed by any breed we have ever had upon our table. '* In y hmiage and size thpy are j evenly barred, simi'ar to the Dominingued, and weigh from live to eight pounds* As layers thoy are equal to any breed that ha'ch* their own young, and as a fowl for the city poultry-keeper they are not equalled by any. Some may ask, 'Do they have any faults? 1 Yes, if they did not they would he perfect, and the novelty would be lost in building up their standard They have been bred carefuly here (United States) for about five years, but although much progress has been made in this time much remaiue to be done. A few cnl s, such as Jong legged or indistinct plumaged birds, will «rop out until the best is bred from for several eeaeons yet. Ry intioducing imported bloom this season I am suto the Creeper will make a rapid stride this fall."