POULTRY. 479 



lay larger eggs than the penciled, but not quite as many during the year as the latter. The 

 Black Hamburgs are considered to be the best for egg production, of this breed. Their 

 chief merit in an economic point of view is this quality, since their small size does not make 

 them very profitable as a table fowl. Their eggs are large for the size of the fowl, and white. 



GAMES. 



THE very close resemblance in form, color, voice, combativeness in disposition, and 

 courage, between the Gallus Bankwa, or Wild Jungle fowl of India, and the domestic 

 Game fowl, have led naturalists to conclude with confidence, that the former is the 

 parent of the latter. Many naturalists of note in India, including Sir &quot;W. Elliott, Mr. S. W. 

 Ward, Mr. Blyth, Mr. J. C. Jerdon, and Mr. Layard, who are familiar with the Wild Jungle 

 species, are of the opinion that most, or all of our domestic breeds have descended from this 

 wild species. 



Perhaps no fowl has been bred so extensively and with so much of real interest and 

 enthusiasm, in both this country and Europe, as the Game; and perhaps none with regard to 

 which so many and varied opinions have been entertained, and so great a variety of breeds 

 have been produced; in fact, their number is so large, that we shall attempt in our limited 

 space, to give only the principal ones. They are considered by many bird fanciers to be the 

 most beautiful of all the domestic breeds of fowls. 



Their leading characteristics are a strong beak, long, sharp, and well curved ; head long, 

 thin, and tapering to the beak, and very strong at its junction with the neck. The comb, 

 when natural, -that is, when it has not been dubbed, is small, single, low in front, thin 

 and evenly serrated, and of a brilliant red color, in most varieties, though in a few, like the 

 Brown-Reds, Blue, and Gray, it is a very dark red, often approaching a purple. The eyes 

 are large and fearless in expression, which are indicative of their character and disposition ; 

 for they are the most courageous and pugnacious of all domestic fowls; in fact, a true Game 

 seems to know no fear. The neck is long, very strong, and well arched; the hackle short 

 and close, each feather of it being more broad than in other breeds of this size. The breast 

 is broad and well rounded, the back broad across the shoulders, rather short and flat, nar 

 rowing towards the tail, and the body full at the sides. The saddle feathers are short, 

 corresponding to the hackle. The tail should be of medium length, and carried rather erect 

 and spreading; the sickle feathers having a full curve and long. The wings are very strong 

 and of medium length, well fitted to the body, slightly raised at the shoulders, the points 

 coming under the saddle feathers when folded, giving the body there a narrow appearance. 

 The legs are set rather wide apart, are rather long, bony, clean, and very strong; the spurs 

 set low, are long and sharp, and slightly curved upwards. The feet are broad and spreading, 

 the toes long and furnished with long, strong nails. The entire plumage is short, compact, 

 and glossy. The carriage is proud, upright, bold, and fierce. 



The hen corresponds in general form to the cock, and usually has spurs. It is said that 

 such hens breed the best cocks, as far as the fighting propensity is concerned. Their flesh is 

 noted for delicacy of flavor, and they are ranked among the first-class layers, when provided 

 with a good range. 



Trevor Dickens, Esq., of London, who is one of the most noted authorities in England: on 

 all points concerning the Game fowl, says of them: &quot;The Game cock, as the undisputed king 

 of all poultry, requires more careful judging in regard to shape than any other bird. The 

 Brown-Reds have long been considered the most perfect in outline. With respect to the 



