BREEDS OF CHICKENS- 89 



plumage and are larger than the Houdans. For some 

 reason they have not become popular in this country 

 and are not so well known as the latter. 



The seventh class is the English breed, the Dork- 

 iugs, of w r hich there are three varieties White, Silver- 

 Gray and Colored. Colored Plate XI is a good 

 representation of the Silver-Grays. The Dorkings 

 have a characteristic shape that is well shown in the 

 cut. The body is long, deep and full, neck and legs 

 short, and the whole appearance solid and substantial. 

 The standard weight of mature males of the Silver- 

 Gray variety is eight pounds, and of mature females 

 six and one-half pounds. Colored Dorkings should 

 weigh a pound heavier. These all have white flesh. 

 They are good layers, but are especially prized 

 for their market and table qualities. The Orping- 

 tons, several varieties classed according to color of 

 plumage, have of late years been imported from 

 England. They are good layers and good table 

 fowls, and in size compare favorably with our Ply- 

 mouth Rocks. 



The eighth class comprises Games, Game Ban- 

 tams,, Cornish Indian Games and Malays. There are 

 eight varieties of Games and a corresponding number 

 of Game Bantams. The typical Game shape is well 

 exhibited in the Black-Breasted Red Game Bantam 

 in colored Plate XIII. They all have single, erect 

 combs and wattles, but it is the fashion to cut these 

 appendages off. It is this operation, called "dub- 

 bing," that produces their fierce and war-like appear- 

 ance. Contrary to a common impression the varieties- 

 of Games named in the "Standard" are seldom ever 



