INFLUENCE OP THE SEXES. 121 



bring him back in a year or two, when the relationship between 

 him and the pullets of the year will be too remote to be of very 

 much consequence. 



If a bird is occasionally introduced from another strain 

 and it certainly is advisable now and then, especially in the 

 case of Dorkings we can only say that the most extreme care 

 must be taken to ensure he is of good pedigree, as well as a 

 good specimen in outward appearance of the breed to which 

 he belongs. 



Long experience has ascertained that the male bird has 

 most influence upon the colour of the progeny, and also upon 

 the comb, and what may be called the " fancy points," of any 

 breed generally ; whilst the form, size, and useful qualities are 

 principally derived from the hen. Now it cannot be denied 

 that it is desirable to secure absolutely perfect birds in all 

 respects of both sexes if possible ; but alas ! every amateur 

 knows too well the great scarcity of such, and the above fact 

 therefore becomes of great importance in selecting a breeding- 

 pen. For instance, a cock may have been hatched late in the 

 year, and therefore be decidedly under the proper standard in 

 point of size, and inferior for a show pen ; but if his colour, 

 plumage, comb, and other points whatever they may be are 

 perfect, and he be active and lively, he may make a first-class 

 bird for breeding, when mated with good hens. A hen, again, 

 if of large size and good shape, is not to be hastily condemned 

 for a faulty feather or two, or even for a defective comb, if not 

 too glaringly apparent though the last fault is a serious one in 

 either sex. But a very bad-coloured or faulty-combed cock, 

 however excellent in point of size, or a very small or ill-shaped 

 hen, however exquisite in regard to colour, will invariably 

 produce chickens of a very indifferent order. 



It if. also to be observed, with regard to the crossing of a 

 breed, that the cockerels in the progeny will more or less re 

 scmble the father, whilst the pullets follow the mother. A 



