Game. 109 



Game fowls are hardy when they can have liberty, but 

 cannot be well kept in a confined space. They eat little, 

 and are excellent for an unprotected place, because by 

 their activity they avoid danger themselves, and by their 

 courage defend their chickens from enemies. The hen is a 

 prolific layer, and, if she has a good run, equal to any breed. 

 The eggs, though of moderate size only, are remarkable 

 for delicacy of flavour. She is an excellent sitter, and still 

 more excellent mother. The chickens are easily reared, 

 require little food, and are more robust in constitution than 

 almost any other variety. 



The flesh of the Game fowl is beautifully white, and 

 superior to that of all other breeds for richness and delicacy 

 of flavour. They should never be put up to fat, as they 

 are impatient of confinement. " They are in no way fit for 

 the fattening-coop," says Mr. Baily. " They cannot bear 

 the extra food without excitement, and that is not favour- 

 able to obesity. Nevertheless, they have their merits. If 

 they are reared like pheasants round a keeper's house, and 

 allowed to run semi-wild in the woods, to frequent sunny 

 banks and dry ditches, they will grow up like them ; they 

 Avill have little fat, but they will be full of meat. They 

 must be eaten young; and a Game pullet four or five 

 months old, caught up wild in this way, and killed two days 

 before she is eaten, is, perhaps, the most delicious chicken 

 there is in point of flavour." 



The Game-fowl continues to breed for many years with- 

 out showing any signs of decay, and in this respect is 

 superior to the Cochin, Brahma, and even to the Dorking. 



The cock's head should be long, but fine ; beak long, 

 curved, and strong ; comb single, small, upright, and 

 bright red ; wattles and face bright red ; eyes large and 

 brilliant; neck long, arched, and strong; breast well 

 developed; back short and broad between the shoulders, 

 but tapering to the tail ; thighs muscular, but short com- 

 pared to the shanks ; spur low ; foot flat, with powerful 

 claws, and his carriage erect. The form of the hen should 

 resemble the above on a smaller scale, with small, fine comb 

 and face, and wattles of a less intense red. The feathers 



