480 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



varieties of Game, the kinds which take nearly all the prizes and cups are the Brown- 

 Reds, Black -breasted Red, Silver Duck wing, Greys, and Piles, all of which are cup-birds. 



The original wild varieties of Game fowl are three: the Black-breasted Red, with fawn- 

 breasted partridge hens; the Brown-breasted Reds, with dark legs and dark-brown hens, 

 and the Red-breasted Ginger Reds, with yellow legs, and the hens of a light partridge color. 

 These three colors were probably reclaimed at a very early period, and are still found in 

 India as wild birds. From them all the other colors were originally bred ; the varieties 

 hatching dark chickens from the Brown or dark Reds, and all others from the other two 

 sorts. 



The best criterion of blood in all Game fowls, is the color of the eyes, a point which has 

 been, strange to say, totally overlooked in every work on poultry hitherto published. Black 

 eyes show dark blood, and the hens of such strains lay white eggs. Red eyes denote red 

 blood, and lay pinkish eggs. Yellow or daw eyes lay yellowish eggs. These last are inferior 

 in spirit to the others. Brown and bay eyes result from crossing different breeds. 



The only kinds much used for fighting, are those with black or red eyes, and the three 

 varieties now usually employed are the Brown-breasted Reds, Dark Greys (which are 

 strongest and hardiest of all), and Black-breasted Reds, with white legs and dark red eyes.&quot; 



The principal varieties of Games are Black, Black-breasted Red, Brown-red, Blue, Silver 

 Duckwing, Yellow Duckwing, Ginger Red, Grey, Red Pile, White Pile, White, Spangled, 

 White Henny Game, etc. Including sub-varieties, there are in all from forty-five to fifty 

 varieties of this breed, which is the most diversified of all domestic fowls. Their name is 

 truly &quot;legion.&quot; 



Black-breasted Red Games. This variety of the Game breed is a great favorite, 

 and considered by many as possessing qualities superior to the other recognized varieties. Be 

 that as it may, they certainly possess great beauty of plumage, are very stylish, with a proud 

 carriage, are very hardy, courageous, quick, and sprightly, and usually breed true to feather. 

 It is the most nearly related in color and form to the original wild fowl of India, the 

 Gallus BanJciva, of any of the Game varieties. As the general characteristics of the Game 

 breed have been given at the beginning of this chapter, we will not repeat them here, but 

 simply specify the points of difference in the varieties described, since the general description 

 of the Game breed applies in a great measure to all the varieties and sub-varieties of that 

 breed. 



The color of the head of the cock is a very rich red, rather dark; the neck hackle of 

 the same color, free from black stripes and very glossy. The ear lobes, wattles, and comb are 

 bright red; the latter (if not dubbed) is small and thin, low in front, and serrated, standing 

 straight and erect; the eyes are quick and courageous in expression, and quite large; in color, 

 dark red or bay. The plumage of the body is usually a rich dark red, being rather darker 

 than the neck hackle. The breast is black; any mixture of other colors there is considered 

 a grave defect, indicative of the birds not being pure-bred. The under part of the body is 

 also black. The wings are a rich dark red in the upper part, and a dark bay in the lower, 

 with a metallic or greenish-black bar across them, formed by the wing coverts. 



The thighs are also black, and the tail feathers greenish black; the sickle feathers and 

 tail coverts being very lustrous. The saddle feathers, like the neck-hackle, are a rich red. 

 The back is either willow or dark horn color. The legs vary in color. The American 

 standard recognizes the willow, olive, yellow, white, and blue ; but among the English fanciers 

 the willow is the color preferred, where all other points of merit are equal, though all are 

 recognized, if the plumage be unexceptionable and bright, and the eyes dark bay. 



The general color of the hen is a rich, reddish brown; the hackle being of a brownish- 

 golden color striped with black; the breast, a deep salmon color shading off to a brown; the 

 plumage of the back and wings is a reddish brown penciled with black; the tail feathers 



