CHAP. II. 



TABLE POULTRY. 



605 



with it, for a great difference is to be noted in the various breeds as 

 regards their quality of flesh. The varieties which are best in this 

 respect are La Bresse, La Fleche, Le Mans, and Creve Cceurs. 

 Of these La Fieche and Creve Cceurs, both of which are black in 

 plumage, are best known out of their native country. It must be 

 conceded, however, that the French varieties are rather delicate, and do 

 not stand the rigours of our climate very well, consequently they have 

 never been introduced to any large extent. Further, they have black 

 legs and feet, and though the prejudice against these is not nearly so 

 powerful as was the case a decade or two ago, it is still present, and 

 militates against the breeds. A very useful breed is the Faverolle, 

 especially for a second grade trade. It is an excellent layer. 



Game. The game fowls have always been famous /or their table 

 qualities. The develop- 

 ment of breast muscle, 

 to give them great power 

 of striking, has made the 

 breed exceptionally good 

 in this direction. The 

 modern game fowl (fig. 

 160) is a much leggier bird 

 than his progenitor, but 

 breeding for limb has not 

 destroyed his fine table- 

 properties, though it may 

 to some extent have af- 

 fected him in size of body 

 Of late there has been a 

 revival of interest in the 

 old type of game fowl, and 

 the institution of classes 

 for it at the Royal and 

 other leading shows has 

 brought it to the fore. It 

 is also excellent for crossing 

 purposes. The colours of both old and new type which are most 

 popular are the black-breasted reds, the brown-breasted reds, the piles, 

 and the duck-wings, the first named being very valuable indeed, and 

 very rich in colour. It is worthy of note that many of the old-fashioned 

 type are white in leg, always a recommendation in a table fowl. 



Indian Game. This is a variety which has been very largely bred 

 in Cornwall, and has taken a firm hold on public favour. It is larger 

 in body than the English game, and has more substantial shanks, with 

 a thicker head (fig. 161). The amount of meat on one of these birds is 

 remarkable, but the flesh and skin are very yellow, which is an objection 

 in the best markets, and the flesh is rather hard. They have yellow 

 legs. Practically, their great value is for crossing with soft and white 

 fleshed races such as the Dorking and the Orpington. 



Fig. 160. Modern Black Red Game. 



Winners of Challenge Cups, Birmingham, 1889. 

 Bred by Captain Heaton, Worsley. 



