188 THE DORKING FOWL. 



Mr. Dixon remarks, on the subject of Dorkings : For 

 those who wish to stock their poultry-yards with Fowls of 

 the most desirable shape and size, clothed in rich and varie- 

 gated plumage, and, not expecting perfection, are willing to 

 overlook one or two other points, the Speckled Dorkings* are 

 the breed to be at once selected. The Hens, in addition to 

 their gay colours, have a large vertically flat comb,f which, 

 when they are in high health, adds very much to their brilliant 

 appearance, particularly if seen in bright sunshine. The 

 Cocks are magnificent. The most gorgeous hues are frequently 

 lavished upon them, which their great size and peculiarly 

 square-built form display to the greatest advantage. The 

 breeder and the farmer's wife behold with delight their short 

 legs, their broad breast, the small proportion of offal, and the 

 large quantity of good profitable flesh. When fatted and 

 served at table, the master and mistress of the feast are satis- 

 fied. The Cockerels may be brought to considerable weights, 

 and the flavour and appearance of their meat are inferior to 

 none. Those epicures who now a.nd then like a Fowl killed 

 by dislocation of the neck without bleeding, (the more humane 

 way,) will find that this variety affords a tender and high- 

 flavoured dish. The Eggs are produced in reasonable abund- 

 ance, and, though not equal in size to those of Spanish Hens, 



* So called from the town of Surrey, which brought them into 

 modern repute. 



f A question has been raised, at some Poultry shows, whether the 

 Dorkings should be imperatively required to have a single, or a rose 

 comb. Neither form ought to disqualify birds true in other respects ; 

 but we should decidedly prefer to 'make the acquisition of single- 

 combed specimens, both as marking their relationship to the Cochin 

 China, previously noticed, and as saving them from the suspicion 

 of a cross with either the Malays or the Hamburghs, which a rose 

 comb is apt to induce. The finest White Dorkings that have come 

 under our notice have always had single combs. 

 * 



