The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-11
MIR. ELKIN,S QUEER FOWLS.
A Cross Between Minercns and . bird from
the Falkland Islands.

From the Louisville Dispatch
LANCASTER, KY, July 3.-R. L. Elkin, @
prominent farmer ncar this city, has devoted
several years to raising domestic fowls Of diff
ferent breeds. and has now ON hand a few fowls
which are attracting the attention Of the public
on account OF their unusual color, size, and
form. and their aptitude to initiate, which
makes q near approach to intelligence and bids
fair to dispense with errand boys. shepherd
dogs. and telephones. They are a cross be-
tween the Minorca and a fowl which was sent
him by his friend, Col. John Miller, now United
States Consul at Falkland Islands, which In
many respects resembles tho parrot, though not
so clumsy.
The fowls weigh about three pounds, have
sharp claws, a long beak, slightly curved, large
and an Intelligent expression. They fly rapidly
and although domesticated they have a ten
them "Tminims because Of their Size: From
the time they come from the shell they, are
always manifesting a, disposition TO initiate
human action and make articulnte sounds ap.
~proximating the LANGUAGE of the parrot. They
are non-sitters, but their eggs will hatch in
fourteen days. They will only roost in trees or
On the roql Of a house. On the approaeh Of a
guinea fowl. and when anything unusual 10
about to occur they make 3 loud noise, which
sounds IKE the words LOCK quit" Their
stances. II a dog or any other animal ventures
into their Enclosure he meets with such a recep-
LlOn rs W insure u sptcus utpuTliTc, VIII no
inclination to return. The sharp curved beak
and sharp claws have inflicted many wounds
on intruders.
Unerring instinct seems to give them an &c
curate idea Of the time of day. and when the
regular routine of farm work has been per-
formed In sight Of them they seem to realize any
delay In the same work on a succeeding day.
MIR. Elkin's bluegrass pasture In which his
mich cows Craze contains about fifty acres and
extends up TO the barnyard. He asserts posi-.
lively that the cowboy, who always fed them
one evening last week, and he saw two Of the
fowls fly away In the direction OF the cows, one
Of which was lying down, They lighted upon
her and induced her to rise by a gentle touch
with their claws. The Same inducement was
applied to tho whole herd until they wero
marched to the milk pen. These acts are the
result OF observation and the fowls bid fair to be-
come moro valuable than the dog to herdsmen.
An incident occurred a few days since which
endeared the birds 70 the owner. and caused him
to assert that no price would purchase them. It
haired son, Dan, aged !, the pride of his life.
had wandered into the avenue between the
house and turnpike. to a point about fifty yards
from the house. where he had stopped and was
playing with u neighbor's dog. which became
furtously angry, and, swapping at the innocent
child, had torn a part OF Its dress from Its body
and was In the act OF springing upon 1t in q
manner that. told too well that the body would
have boon f~earfully, mangled, and that. death
fowls were near the scene. and instantly flow
into, the dogs face, binding him. with the
strokes OF their wings, inserting their sharp
claws into his body, and pecking him in n rapid
manner, thus drawing his attention from the
child until the father arrived and shot the dog.