INDIAN GAME. 183 



meaty on the table. The colours are generally either 

 allied to the " black-red " type, or more often various 

 mottles and splashes of black, red, and white. 



The fowl generally known everywhere now as " Indian 

 Game " is different, and of composite origin, there being 

 little doubt that it sprang from a former importation of 

 Aseels early in the nineteenth century, crossed with Malays, 

 and very possibly also with some of the English Game fowls 

 in Cornwall. For many years it was purely a Cornish fowl, 

 and has been termed Cornish Game ; but the Malay cross 

 has destroyed the fortitude of the true Game race, and, as 

 the breed has been more cultivated and fixed, has more and 

 more predominated. These birds have, in fact, often 

 appeared at shows under the name of Pheasant Malays, 

 chiefly distinguished by the plumage of the hen, and the 

 extraordinary gloss on both sexes ; the comb has often been 

 more "knobby" than a real pea-comb, and the size, stature, 

 and carriage have gradually been developed to nearly the 

 Malay standard, with, however, rather more rounded 

 shoulders and compactness of form. In 1870 a large and 

 fine class we saw at Plymouth were nearly as compact and 

 short-legged as Aseels, and all with true pea-combs ; and 

 even as late as 1890 the thighs and shanks were described 

 as only "moderately long and not stilty." But the 

 fashion for excessive height in English Game has since 

 corrupted this breed also, which often lately has had almost 

 Malay proportions, and nearly a Malay head, though with a 

 finer comb. 



The face of the Indian Game should be smooth and 

 fine, and brilliant red, as also the ear-lobes ; the pea-comb 

 as regular as possible, and wattles very small. The hackle 

 of the cock is short and green-black in colour, with 

 brownish-crimson shafts ; back chiefly green-black mixed 

 with some crimson, the black more predominating on the 



