Billina

Origin
Billina was originally named Bill because as a chick no one could tell whether she was going to be a hen or a rooster. She was raised on a farm in the United States by an elderly woman and her husband.

During a voyage to Australia, Bill was traveling in a chicken coop that was blown overboard during a storm. Though all the other chickens drowned, Bill survived along with a girl named Dorothy Gale. As they approached the shores of the Land of Ev, Bill found herself able to talk. Upon finding out that HE was a SHE, Dorothy promptly changed Bill's name to a feminine form by adding an "eena" sound to the end.

Billina and Dorothy visited Evna, the capital city of Ev, and joined a party from the Land of Oz who were traveling to the Nome Kingdom to rescue the Royal Family of Ev. The Nome King deceived the rescue party, but Billina was able to solve the Nome King's puzzle, thanks to her overhearing his discussion with Kaliko, his Chief Steward. She also provided the eggs which the Scarecrow used to defeat the Nomes, eggs being poison to them. After that adventure Billina settled in the Emerald City where she generally wears the pearl necklace she received from King Evardo of Ev.

Later, Billina hatched many chicks (their father unknown). She named all of them Dorothy after her young friend and had gold lockets engraved with the letter "D" for each of them. When some of the chicks turned out to be "horrid roosters" she renamed them Daniel.

Appearance
Billina takes pride in laying a fresh egg every morning, after which she enjoys a morning cackle. She never cares to hatch eggs unless she has a nice nest with a baker's dozen of eggs.

Her henhouse is in the gardens behind the Royal Palace of Oz. It has a porch, and Billina keeps the house as neat as a pin. All the chairs inside are silver roosting-poles.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all live in the yards nearby, and Billina is acknowledged as Queen and Governor of All the Chickens in Oz.

Public Domain Appearances

 * Ozma of Oz
 * Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
 * The Road to Oz
 * The Royal Book of Oz
 * The Emerald City of Oz
 * The Magic of Oz