166 DIFFERENT BREEDS OP POULTRY. 



of this beautiful English fowl. It should also be noted that 

 the hen is a most exemplary sitter and mother ; and, remaining 

 longer with the chickens than most other varieties, is peculiarly 

 suitable for hatching early broods. 



The Dorking is not, however, a good layer, except when 

 very young ; and in winter is even decidedly bad in this respect. 

 The chickens are also of delicate constitution when bred in con- 

 finement, and a few weeks of cold wet weather will sometimes 

 carry o-ff nearly a whole brood. But it is only right to say 

 that when allowed unlimited range the breed appears hardy, 

 and as easy to rear as any other, if not hatched too soon. 

 At Linton Park, the chickens were all left with the hens at 

 night, under coops entirely open in the front ; and grew up 

 in perfect health, whilst the old birds frequently roosted in the 

 trees. It is in confinement or on wet soils that they suffer ; 

 and the only way of keeping them successfully in such circum- 

 stances is to pay the strictest attention to cleanliness and 

 drainage, and to give them some fresh turf every day, in addi- 

 tion to other vegetable food. With these precautions, prize 

 Dorkings have been reared in gravelled yards not containing 

 more than 300 square feet. 



In fine, the breed is most valuable for the market, or as a 

 general fowl, on a wide and well-drained range. But we 

 cannot recommend it to supply the table with eggs, or as a 

 profitable fowl to be kept in a limited space. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



SPANISH, MINORCAS, ETC. 



UNLIKE almost all other varieties, there really appears some 

 reason for believing that this breed of fowls did originate, or at 

 all events come to us, from Spain. It has, however, been long 

 known and valued by amateurs in this country, and perhaps 



