Well over 160 years ago, John Lawrence (1753-1839) wrote a large book with an exceptionally long title. The book was about breeding, rearing and fattening a variety of domestic farm animals, bees, and brewing beverages. Several editions were published and the 8th edition from 1842 included this lovely Spanish chickens drawing.
Lawrence did not identify an illustrator, engraver or colorist for this colored bird drawing. We have a pair of beautiful black chickens identified as a Spanish cock and hen. The birds are completely black except for their tail feathers which appear to be iridescent green. How pretty these birds must look in real life! From what I can tell, they are now called white-faced, black Spanish chickens. A chicken breeder’s website indicated that these birds are fairly rare now.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
