CHAPTER n. 



BAHN-YARD FOWLS. 



I. ENGLISH BREEDS— DORKING FOWLS. II. SILVER GRAY DORKINGS.^— HI. OSAT 



DORKINGS. IV. FAWN-COLORED DORKINGS. V. BLACK DORKINGS. VI. 



BOLTON GRAYS, OR CREOLES. VII. FRENCH FOWLS — HOUDANS. VIH. LA 



FLECHE FOWLS. IX. CREVE CCEURS. X. BREDA OR GUELDER FOWLS. 



XI. SPANISH FOWLS. XII. HAMBURG FOWLS— BLACK HAMBURG. XIII. 



PENCILED HAMBURGS. XIV. LEGHORN FOWLS. XV. AVHITE LEGHORNS. 



XVI. AMERICAN BREEDS. XVII. DOMINIQUE FOWLS. XVIII, OSTRICH 



FOWLS. XIX. PLYMOUTH ROCK FOWLS.. 



I. English Breeds— Dorking Fowls. 



Of the distinct English breeds of bam yard fowls, the Dorking«, in 

 their varieties, confessedly stand first. The old White or Surrey Dork- 

 nig is the original type from which the others have sprung. The Dork- 

 ings all have five toes, are full wattled, with long sickle-shaped tail feath- 

 ers and generally single serrated combs. The White Dorkings are 

 plump, compact birds with strong head and bill. The plumage is pure 

 white without spot, and the legs, also, are white. The mature cock will 

 weigh fully ten pounds, the hen eight or nine pounds, and year-old birds 

 eight or nine pounds when fat. They are fairly hardy, good layers, care- 

 ful and watchful of the brood ; and the flesh is most excellent. None of 

 the Dorkings can stand cold storms ; but they are altogether the best of 

 the distinct English breeds. 



n. Silver-Gray Dorkings. 



The Silver-gray Dorking is undoubtedly a chance variety of the White 

 Dorking, which has been continued by careful breeding and selection. 

 They vary much in their markings, unless the greatest care is used, and 

 even then many chicks must be discarded from the breeding yards. 

 Their mixed origin is fully shown in the fact that dark colored birds 

 often produce handsome silver-gray chicks. 



m. Gray Dorking. 



The distinguishing colors of this variety are : Breast, tail and larger 

 tail feathers perfectly black ; the head, neck, hackle, back, saddle, and 

 wing bow a olear, pure, silvery white ; and across the wings a well de- 

 fined black bar, in striking contrast with the white outside web of the 



1096 



