THE DORKING FOWL. 199 



possible those peculiar characteristics, viz., the white legs and 

 the five toes, even at the risk of sacrificing the good qualities 

 of the flesh. For that purpose the Chittagong Fowl has been 

 used to cross with the White Dorking, on account of the near 

 resemblance of the colour of the legs and the great weight to 

 which the Chittagong Fowl attains. 



That the colour of the Dorking Fowls was white, abundant 

 proof is furnished by Moubray, W. B. Dickson, and others. 

 Mr. James Main, who, early in this present century, .published 

 a book on Poultry, says, " The most valued variety for th-e 

 table, at present, is the Dorking breed. This is pure white, and 

 highly esteemed for the whiteness and delicacy of their flesh, 

 when served at table. They also fetch a higher price at 

 market. Among breeders, real Dorking Cocks sell for from 

 five to ten shillings each." 



That the pure Dorking Fowl has become extinct, or nearly 

 so, in England, I will quote from a work on Poultry, written by 

 W. C. L. Martin, one of the scientific officers of the Zoological 

 Society of London, who, speaking of the Dorking Fowl, says, 

 " Surrey is noted for its Fowls, especially that breed which 

 passes under the name of Dorking, and which is cultivated in 

 the district surrounding that celebrated town. The Dorking 

 Fowl is a short-legged, plump, round-bodied Fowl, remarkable 

 for having five toes, that is, a supernumerary hind-toe. The 

 Dorking Fowl is of good size, and of a white colour, but such 

 are seldom seen." Mr. Martin is of the highest authority, 

 being, not merely a member of the Zoological Society, but one 

 of the scientific officers of that institution. 



That the White Dorking had become exceedingly scarce in 

 Dorking and its vicinity, I will give you an extract of a let- 

 ter written by Captain E. E. Morgan, of the London packet- 

 ship Victoria, dated at London, April 14th, 1845, and pub- 

 lished in the American Agriculturist, July, 1845. It is as 



