POULTRY. 529 



small head, from the top of which should rise a small globular crest. The general style 

 and shape is very attractive. I consider Silkies hardy. The chickens are easily reared and 

 generally very true to their parents. They are very moderate layers, but capital sitters. In 

 hatching and rearing Bantams, Pheasants, or Partridges, they are unequaled.&quot; The loose 

 and fluffy character of the plumage of these birds makes them seem larger and heavier than 

 they really are. 



Merits and Defects Of Silkies. The merits of these fowls have been mostly given 

 in the previous descriptions. Some breeders call them good layers, others say they are 

 deficient in this respect; but from what we can learn of them generally, they are only 

 moderately good in this respect; their eggs are rather small, and of a delicate cream color. 

 They are quite hardy and easily reared, and make excellent mothers to Bantams and other 

 delicate breeds, their long, soft, and silky plumage furnishing a nice protection to tender 

 chickens. They are, however, peculiarly susceptible to cold and wet, and should always be 

 provided with a good shelter. Their flesh, though unattractive in appearance as a table fowl, 

 owing to the dark color of the skin and bones, is very white and nice. They are, however, 

 kept principally on account of their unique and singular appearance, and for mothers to 

 delicate breeds. 



DUMPIES OR CREEPERS. 



THIS breed was formerly very popular in Scotland, and have been known by the name 

 of &quot;Bakies&quot;and &quot;Go-laighs&quot; in some localities. They are at present very rare, 

 however, especially so in this country. Their principal peculiarity is the extreme 

 shortness of the leg, which is only about two inches from the hock joint to the ground, and 

 gives the bird the low appearance of almost creeping on the ground. They are not uniform 

 in color, the plumage being generally speckled, though the general appearance of the body is 

 similar to that of the Dorking (lacking however the fifth toe). The weight of the cock is 

 from six to seven pounds, that of the hen about a pound less. 



Merits and Defects Of Dumpies or Creepers. The hens are excellent layers of 

 largersized eggs. They are also the best of mothers, and are a first-class table fowl, the flesh 

 being peculiarly white and delicate in flavor. They are Lardy and easily reared, and make a 

 good cross with the &quot;Long-legged &quot; breeds, owing to their shortness of leg, thus reducing the 

 stiltiness of some breeds to the &quot;happy medium &quot; that is something desirable. 



RUMPLESS FOWLS, 



EUMPLESS fowls are not only wanting in tail feathers, but their anatomy shows that 

 the caudal projection is wanting, and also even the final vertebrae of the spine itself. 

 This gives them a very peculiar and grotesque appearance. It is supposed that these 

 originated from the Polish breeds, and that some of them were formerly crested with 

 partially-developed beards, with leg feathering and vulture hocks, but these have been bred 

 out. Their anatomy being deficient in the usual prolongation of the vertebral column upon 

 which the tail feathers of the fowl are planted, renders them devoid of this ornamental 

 appendage, the back part of the body being covered by a few back or saddle feathers. They 



