OLD ENGLISH GAME. 191 



stout and short instead of being thin and long, and the 

 shanks moderate instead of stilty. The whole is most 

 symmetrical and handsome, and much broader in breast 

 than the other type. The hen is of similar formation. 



There is much greater latitude in colours, and especially 

 of the shanks. The usual exhibition colours are found, but 

 there are other kinds of reds, also duns and blue-reds, and 

 spangles or mottles. Where legs in the exhibition Games 

 have been willow as in Black-reds, or yellow as in Piles, the 

 Old English Games are allowed to be white, willow, or 

 yellow, or in some breeds black or blue slate. Crested 

 varieties, called " tassels," bearded ones, termed " muffs," 

 and a variety with hen-tailed cocks, termed " hennies," are 

 also recognised and shown. Lord Derby's old breed of 

 Black-breasted Reds with white legs is much esteemed. 

 On the whole, the chief recognised colours are most 

 generally exhibited, but with the greater variety in colour 

 of the shanks above noted. 



The judging of these birds has not always been happy 

 or consistent, and it is much to be hoped that the breed 

 may not be spoilt as the other has been. In some cases a 

 clear tendency has been shown to give prizes to those 

 highest on the leg, the artificial model of the other breed 

 influencing the eye of the judge. In other cases some 

 favourite colour of leg has evidently had too much weight, 

 in yet others too plump condition. 



The Old English Game fowl is a fairly good layer, and 

 hardy where it can have liberty ; but it is chiefly valuable 

 as a cross for the production of table poultry. For this 

 purpose it is superior to the leggy type of Indian Game, 

 giving white skin and flesh and white legs (if a white leg be 

 selected), and a broader formation. A cross between this 

 breed and Dorkings is probably the very finest table fowl 

 that can be produced, and with other breeds it is good, 



