62 



THE PEOPLE S PRACTICAL POULTRY BOOK. 



as the Dorkings are in England. This breed needs no inducement to increase 

 and multiply, for they are easily reared and fattened, and being constant 

 layers of good sized eggs, with the quality of the flesh fine, they are a de- 

 sirable fowl for the poultry keeper to breed. They possess vivacity tending 

 to wildness, bearing confinement and enjoying liberty with spirits that never 

 flag; they are "bright as a flower and upright as a bolt." At shows it is 

 required of them to possess the fifth toe, and perpetuate the useless mon- 

 strosity of their semi-original, the Dorking, from whom and the silver 



OF CR-EVE - CCEURS. 



Padoue they are doubtless descended. Color rocky white and black; an 

 even speckled proportion of each preferred. Occasional stained feathers 

 appear in the purest blood, but red ones tend to disqualify. The head is 

 crowned with a fierce tuft, and on the front rises a horned or double-leafed 

 comb, the center having the appearance of an ill-shaped long strawberry. 

 The whiskers and beard are striking, growing well up on the face of both 

 cock and hen. The legs are spotted leaden grey. The hen's crest should be 

 thick and full, showing as little comb as possible. The coup tfceil of a com- 

 pany of these birds is most brilliant, and it is to be hoped that their weight 



