192 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



giving good breast and wings. For this purpose the largest 

 birds are preferable, and the white-legged varieties. The 

 Henny variety is one of the best, and also one of the best 

 layers. 



CHAPTER XV. 



DORKINGS. 



THIS is a pre-eminently English breed of fowls, and is, as it 

 always will be, a general favourite, especially with lady 

 fanciers. The general predilection of the fair sex for 

 Dorkings may be easily accounted for, not only by the 

 great beauty of all the varieties, but even more, perhaps, by 

 their unrivalled qualities as table birds a point in which 

 ladies may be easily supposed to feel a peculiar interest. 



The varieties of Dorkings usually recognised are the 

 Grey or Coloured, Silver-grey, and White. We believe the 

 White to be the original breed, from which the Coloured 

 varieties were produced by crossing with the old Sussex or 

 some other large coloured fowl. That such was the case is 

 almost proved by the fact that fifty years ago nothing was 

 more uncertain than the appearance of the fifth toe in 

 Coloured chickens, even of the best strains, and that rose- 

 combs were also common. Such uncertainty in any 

 important point is always an indication of mixed blood ; 

 and that it was so in this case is shown by the result of long 

 and careful breeding, which has now rendered the fifth toe 

 permanent, and finally established the variety. 



In no breed is size, form, and weight so much regarded 

 in judging the merits of a pen. The body should be deep 

 and full, the breast being protuberant and plump, especially 

 in the cock, whose breast, as viewed sideways, ought to 

 form a right angle with the lower part of his body. Both 

 back and breast must be broad, the latter showing no 



