72 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



they have not degenerated, and his stock yet sustains an excel- 

 lent reputation. 



L. F. Allen says, in the American Agriculturist, " The 

 Dorking is a fine large bird, weighing, when at maturity, five 

 to eight pounds. They are large-bodied, and of better propor- 

 tions, according to their size, than any breed I have yet seen ; 

 their bodies being very long, full, and well fleshed in the breast 

 and other valuable parts. They are short-legged, thickly feath- 

 ered, with fine delicate heads, both double and single combs, 

 and a shining, beautiful plumage. The color of their legs is 

 white, or flesh-colored, having five instead of four toes, the 

 fifth being apparently superfluous, and rising like a spur from 

 the same root as the heel toe in the common varieties. This 

 is a distinguishing mark of the variety. They are most excel- 

 lent layers, good and steady sitters, and kind, careful nurses. 

 They are the capon fowl of England, and are bred in great 

 quantities for the luxurious tables of the wealthy classes in 

 the counties about London." 



Specimens of this variety have also been imported by Messrs. 

 A. B, Allen, of Buffalo, F. Rotch, of Otsego, and Chapman, 

 of New York. 



Mr. Allen, of Buffalo, was the first importer of the Speckled 

 Dorking, this and the White being the only pure varieties in 

 the country ; the others are hybrids, but nevertheless of excel- 

 lent quality. These latter varieties are usually denominated 

 improved Dorkings, and sometimes the Sussex breed ; and they 

 are considered by many an improvement on the original Dork- 

 ing ; but, in my opinion, they are not equal to the pure White 

 Dorking of the Giles importation, especially in regard to fine- 

 ness of flesh. They are usually, however, a larger and heavier 

 fowl. 



The hybrids above referred to will now be described. 



