24? THE CORAL, OR BOLTON GREYS. 



mens of the fowls, from which we have taken faithful 

 portraits to accompany our present edition. The pre- 

 vailing customary breeds of poultry in the above vicinity 

 and district are named and described ; but so far as my 

 information extends, these provincial varieties of do- 

 mestic poultry have been hitherto unknown at head- 

 quarters, or in the grand emporium, London; and also 

 in those districts where the most generally esteemed 

 breeds have originated and are preserved . The superior 

 breeding districts have invariably been few : in the 

 mean time there have been peculiar varieties in most 

 other parts which have seldom attracted notice else- 

 where. It is obvious that mixed or chance-medley 

 breeding must be most generally prevalent in poultry, 

 as well as in all classes of the domestic animals. As 

 to the merits of the Lancashire breeds, the Bolton 

 greys seem to challenge distinction ; and I should be 

 happy to find myself the means of promoting their in- 

 troduction to these parts. 



It seems that the Dorking fowls have been intro- 

 duced into Lancashire and Westmoreland from Cum- 

 berland ; but that they do not there retain that high 

 character which they have so long and generally pos- 

 sessed in other parts. Few breeds, however, I ap- 

 prehend, have a title to boast of so high and long con- 

 tinued a reputation as the Dorking. Upwards of 

 fifty-five years have passed, since, while resident in 

 Surrey, I sent to Dorking for my first regular breed- 

 ing stock : they were then the ancient and superior 

 five-clawed breed of Surrey. 



On the topic of hen-house conveniences, whereon 

 it will be found I have dilated amply, this gentleman 



