356 



THE BOOK OF POULTRY. 



feeding ; indeed, will almost keep themselves, 

 and show such glossy plumage and condition as 

 can be obtained by no other method. As layers 

 there are several varieties of this breed that (on 

 a free range) equal any of the sitting breeds of 

 poultry ; Hennies, Black-breasted Reds, Piles, 

 and Duckwings leading the way, while perhaps 

 the worst layers are the dark Brown Reds 

 and dark Greys. 



" The hens are all most excellent sitters, 

 steady on their eggs, and regular in their leaving 

 and returning to the nest, but they will brook 

 no interference, unless very tame. They are 

 excellent and careful mothers, and go with their 

 chicks even after recommencing to lay, while 

 the marauding rat or cat had better beware of 

 trying to take one of the brood, for she will fly 

 at any foe in their defence. Beware, however, of 

 having the hens with chickens near together, 

 or a terrible fight may ensue between the two 

 mothers to the detriment of the chickens, as 

 after her separation during sitting, and after 

 the chickens are first hatched until they are 

 let go at liberty, she will appear as a stranger 

 to the other hens. 



" Old English Game cocks are seldom any- 

 thing but gallant and attentive to their harem, 

 and will fight in defence of their hens, instances 

 having been known of a Game cock with full 

 natural spurs having killed a fox that was 

 carrying off one of his hens. Now and then 

 they will take peculiar dislike to a hen of some 

 particular colour, or with a large comb, in which 

 case remove her at once or she will be killed. 

 Instances are also known of Game cocks sitting 

 and even hatching eggs ; I have known two 

 such cases amongst my own birds. It is almost 

 impossible to keep two Game cocks together, 

 as they would fight and destroy each other. 

 This can be obviated by keeping an adult two 

 year old bird and a young cockerel, but even 

 that is not safe, for some day the young one 

 will turn, and then it means death or injury 

 to one or both. 



" This inherent quarrelsome disposition, so 

 characteristic of the breed, renders it unsuitable 

 for those who have only a confined space, or 

 desire to keep a large number of fowls ; and 

 confinement does not suit them : the chickens 

 come weakly and the hens become indifferent 

 layers. The Old English Game is essentially 

 the breed for the country gentleman, who desires 

 fowls and eggs for his own table; and being 

 obtainable of so many different colours, their 

 owner has only to choose his favourite hue, or 

 the combination of colours that pleases him best. 

 For the cottager too, who has a free range, no 

 breed is more thrifty, having small appetites 



and being most excellent foragers, never standing 

 idle for hours like the Asiatics, but ever moving 

 and seeking for insect life, etc., ranging the grass 

 and hedgerows ; near a road, or in a farmyard 

 amongst cattle and stock, and in the stable- 

 yard, they from their fearlessness and activity 

 in avoiding danger are an ideal breed. 



" For crossing purposes it is always best to 

 use the Old English Game cock, with large hens 

 of another breed. With all the Asiatic breeds 

 he is an excellent cross, giving quality and breast 

 meat, which all birds of these varieties lack. 

 With Dorkings a most splendid table-fowl is 

 produced. With all the boasted best crosses (and 

 their name is legion) none will bear a comparison 

 for quality and quantity of flesh combined, 

 with the oldest and only pure English breeds 

 combined, the Game and Dorking cross. The 

 Game-Houdan is a wonderfully prolific layer, 

 besides being of excellent table qualities. 

 Game-Plymouth Rocks, and Game-Wyandottes 

 are capital winter layers ; indeed any of the 

 larger breeds are greatly improved in utility 

 and quality by crossing with Old English 

 Game, improving, as he does, their table, laying, 

 and foraging properties. The late Mr. John 

 Brough of Carlisle (who won such a number of 

 prizes with Old English Game when they were 

 first revived in the show-pen) was so well aware 

 of the fine table and utility properties of this 

 breed in his business as a poulterer, that he 

 kept large numbers of them all round the 

 district, from which he obtained his most prime 

 supplies, and had done so long before their 

 advent in the show-pen. 



" The points required in the Old English Game 

 cock are a small tapered head, with a strong 

 hooked beak, rather short and pointed, a quick, 

 large, and fiery eye, the skin of face 

 Points of ^'^^ throat of fine quality, loose and 



Old English flexible ; a rather long and very 

 Game. strong neck, a short flat back, wide 



across the shoulders, and tapering 

 to the tail, which should be large, strong, and 

 spread ; breast large and wide, the pectoraf 

 muscles largely developed, and the breast-bone 

 straight ; the belly small and tight ; the wings 

 large, long, and strong ; with short, round, and 

 muscular thighs, and clean-boned, strong legs 

 parallel with the body and well bent at the 

 hocks. The spurs should be set on low, and be 

 thin and sharp, the toes long, thin, straight, and 

 spreading ; the hind toe flat on the ground and 

 extending straight backwards, the nails long 

 and strong. His feathers should be hard, close, 

 sound, and glossy, and his carriage should be 

 proud, quick, graceful, bold, and smart. Such a 

 bird should when taken in the hand feel firm in 



