SPECKLED DORKINGS. 23 



This he must reconcile, but I suppose he wrote in 1841 rather 

 prematurely, expecting that his fowls would come up to his 

 description, in which he was disappointed. 



In order to furnish as ample proofs of the character of the 

 Dorking fowls as my limits will allow, I quote from Mowbray, 

 a foreign writer, as follows : 



"The Dorkings rank in the third degree in the list of the largest 

 of domesticated fowls. They are well shaped, having a long, capa- 

 cious body, and shortish legs, and should have five claws on each foot. 

 The absence of a fifth claw is, however, not considered a proof of spu- 

 rious breeding. They make an excellent stock for the farm or market. 

 They fat well, lay well, and rear well ; are handsome alive, and show 

 delicately white when prepared for cooking. General opinion has 

 accorded to this breed the highest character for laying, and also for 

 arriving at early maturity. When full grown, they weigh from five 

 to eight pounds, and possess finer proportions than any other breed. 

 Capons sometimes reach ten to twelve pounds' weight. They are hardy. 

 Their eggs are of a large size, clear, white, and of excellent quality. 



The cocks are magnificent ; variegated in color, with a surpassing 

 brilliancy of plumage, rarely equalled by other kinds. The hens are 

 pheasant-shaped, with a clear and beautiful head and throat, and a 

 deep, heavy crop. The young are easily reared." 



The Eev. Mr. Dixon, the author of a Treatise on Poultry, 

 published in England, says : 



" There can be no doubt that the production of two hind toes, in- 

 stead of one, is entirely accidental, like that of two thumbs on one 

 hand, sometimes observed to run in particular families ; but this is 

 certainly not peculiar to the fowls bred about Dorking in Surrey, for 

 five-toed fowls are mentioned by Aristotle in Greece, by Columella 

 and Pliny in Rome, and by Aldrovand in Italy." 



" Their flesh is extremely white, succulent, and delicate, and they 

 have the advantage of feeding rapidly, and growing to a very large 

 size, when properly managed. Capons and pulardes, though by no 

 means so common in England as in France, are sometimes made of 

 these fowls; which, when castrated, grow to an enormous size, a well- 

 fed capon having been known to weigh fifteen pounds." 



"For those who wish to stock their potiltry-yards with fowls of the 

 rr.ost desirable shape and size, clothed in rich and variegated plumage 

 and not expecting perfection, the speckled Dorkings are the breed to 

 be at once selected. The hens in addition to their gay colors have a 

 vertically flat comb which, when they are in high health, adds much 

 to their brilliant appearance, particularly if seen in bright sunshine. 

 The cocks are magnificent. The most gorgeous hues are frequently 

 lavished upon them, which their great size and peculiarly square-built 

 form, display to the greatest advantage. The breeder and the farmer's 

 wife behold with delight their short legs, their broad breast, the small 

 proportion of offal, and large quantity of good, profitable flesh. 



The colored Dorkings are worth from $3 to $5 a pair, and 

 the eggs sell at $1 50 to $2 per dozen. 



