Of Fowls

Fowls are of several kinds, and are diffe-rent with respect to their size, the beauty of their plumage, and other particularities. Those pullets that are young, well fed, and have not yet begun to lay, are best: likewise cocks are best when they are about the same age. The flesh is easy of digestion, generates good juices, is very nourishing, is cooling and moistening, very who-lesome, and is proper for persons who have been brought low by diseases. It agrees with all ages and constitutions, but more especially with the delicate, and those that lead an inactive life : for those that are strong, robust, and use much exer-cise, generally require more solid aliment, which does not pass off so speedily. The flesh of old fowls is dry, hard, and not easily digested : however they may be very properly made use of for broths and soups, which are very nourishing and restorative. Cocks-combs are reckoned a great delicacy by some.

Of Chickens

Chickens are best when they are about two or three months old, and ought always to be roasted or broiled, unless there is any particular reason to the contrary. The flesh is in all respects like the former, but is more proper for sick persons, because in some degree it is more agreeable to a weak stomach,and the juices are not so rich : for the same reason it is less proper for strong healthy persons, especially for frequent use. There is a sort of broth made with them which is called chicken water which is very proper for persons afflicted with a fever, who can bear nothing but (lender aliment).

Of Capons

A capon, as every one knows, is a gelded cock, whose flesh is rendered more tender by this operation. For as the cock is a very lascivious animal, the balsamic parts of the blood are carryed off by a too frequent attendance on the hens; which is prevented by taking away the cause. The flesh indeed is like that of a pullet, but it is more nou-rishing; more agreeable, and more suitable to per-sons accustomed to fatigue, because the juices of it are more elaborated, better concocted, and abound more with unctuous and balsamic particles.

Of Turkies

These animals were formerly strangers in Europe, and were first imported from Numidia in Africa, which being a hot country, it is no wonder they are brought up with difficulty in this climate. The nature and effects of the flesh differ very little from fowls; for when they are young, fat, and well fed, they are very restorative, contribute greatly to preserve health, and are very proper aliment after a fit of sickness. Whatever has been said of fowls may be applied to turkies, only the flesh is somewhat more firm, and yields more lasting aliment.

Of Pigeons

Pigeons are of several sorts, but they may be reduced to two, the tame and the wild : tame pigeons should be chosen young, fleshy, fat, and well fed. They nourish much, are strongthening, promote urine, but render the body a little costive. They agree with all ages and constitutions, and are seldom or never observed to have any bad effects. Even those that are old agree very well with strong healthy persons, especially if they use much exer-cise. The ring-dove perches on boughs of trees, and seldom or never lights on the ground. The flesh is very well tasted, but is somewhat drier than that of the tame pigeon. The most delicate of all is the turtle-dove, for the flesh has the finest taste and flavour; nor is it so dry as the former.