Beef is eaten, cattle being raised abundantly in stock-farms in many different parts of the islands.  The cattle are bred from those of China and Nueva Espana. [76] The Chinese cattle are small, and excellent breeders.  Their horns are very small and twisted, and some cattle can move them.  They have a large hump upon the shoulders, and are very manageable beasts.  There are plenty of fowls like those of Castilla, and others very large, which are bred from fowls brought from China.  They are very palatable, and make fine capons.  Some of these fowls are black in feather, skin, flesh, and bones, and are pleasant to the taste. [77] Many geese are raised, as well as swans, ducks, and tame pigeons brought from China.  There is abundance of flesh of wild game, such as venison, and wild boars, and in some parts porcupines.  There are many buffaloes, which are called carabaos, which are raised in the fields and are very spirited; others are brought tame from China; these are very numerous, and very handsome.  These last are used only for milking, and their milk is thicker and more palatable than that of cows.

Goats and kids are raised, although their flesh is not savory, because of the humidity of the country.  These animals sicken and die for that reason, and because they eat certain poisonous herbs.  Ewes and rams, although often brought from Nueva Espana, never multiply.  Consequently there are none of these animals, for the climate and pasturage has not as yet seemed suitable for them. [78] There were no horses, mares, or asses in the islands, until the Spaniards had them brought from China and brought them from Nueva Espana.  Asses and mules are very rare, but there are many horses and mares.  Some farms are being stocked with them, and those born there (mixed breeds for the most part) turn out well, and have good colors, are good tempered and willing to work, and are of medium size.  Those brought from China are small, very strong, good goers, treacherous, quarrelsome, and bad-tempered.  Some horses of good colors are brought from Japon.  They have well-shaped bodies, thick hair, large fetlocks, large legs and front hoofs, which makes them look like draft-horses.  Their heads are rather large, and their mouths hard.  They run but slowly, but walk well, and are spirited, and of much mettle.  The daily feed of the horses consists throughout the year of green provender, [79] besides rice in the husk, which keeps them very fat. [80]

There are many fowls and field birds, and wild birds of wonderful colors and very beautiful.  There are no singing birds suitable for keeping in cages, although some calendar larks [Calandrias] called fimbaros, [81] smaller than those of Espana, are brought from Japon, whose song is most sweet.  There are many turtle-doves, ring-doves; other doves with an extremely green plumage, and red feet and beaks; and others that are white with a red spot on the breast, like a pelican.  Instead of quail, there are certain