276 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



In the East Indies Malays are often fought, and the great majority of figlitiiig birds, in fact, 

 contain more or less of Malay blood ; though it will be seen from the next chapter that some birds 

 much esteemed are of a different type altogether. Of late many fowls have been shown as Indian 

 Game ; and in Devonshire and Cornwall these latter birds have frequently special classes at the 

 shows. At the Plymouth show in 1870 there was a remarkably fine and numerous "Indian Game" 

 class, of which we took special note. Every bird contained a large element of Malay blood ; but 

 the tail was less drooping, the form more elegant, and the combs very small — indeed, we observed 

 perfect pea-combs in no fewer than five cocks, or cockerels, though assured that all were bred 

 perfectly pure. A few of these cocks were decidedly larger and heavier than the average Malay, 

 and being so very near in general type, while of fresh blood, we have often wondered that Malay 

 breeders do not strengthen their stocks from this source. Almost any Cornish show will furnish 

 good specimens. Some of these birds we handled were fully as hard in body as any Game cock, 

 and we were assured that they are often fought by Cornish cockers, and fight well ; but the true- 

 bred Malay has more ferocity than real courage, and a quick-fighting Game cock of good blood 

 will make any Malay turn tail at once. They are, in every sense of the word, ferocious bullies 

 rather than courageous birds, and this disposition it is which so thins the number of their admirers. 

 They, however, possess some good qualities, and in some respects are valuable as crosses ; and 

 hence it is to be hoped they may be more encouraged than they have been, and not sufiercd to 

 become extinct, as seemed really imminent at one time. A /ine Malay is always striking in . 

 appearance, and will preserve his full beauty, owing to the hardness of feather, where any other 

 fowl would become draggled and dirty. They will bear close confinement, and when full grown 

 are hardy, though delicate as chickens, and particularly subject to leg-weakness. 



As crosses, Malays arc valuable for imparting large wings and breasts to varieties in which these 

 points are wanting, and when thus used often breed very excellent and weighty birds ; but when 

 thus crossed with the Cochin it is a singular fact that the result is usually worse than the original. 

 Crossed with the Spanish, the result is often (not always) a black fowl of most magnificent plumage 

 and appearance, which one or two amateurs many years since appeared likely, by \-ery careful 

 breeding, to perpetuate and fix under the name of the Columbian Fowl ; but the effort was not 

 persevered with, and all traces of the attempt have become lost. This is to be regretted, as the 

 variety was of great size, magnificently glossed plumage, very hardy, and a good layer of enormous 

 and well-flavoured eggs. The lustre of the feathers far surpassed that of the Black Hamburgh, 

 and no more splendid-looking bird was ever seen in a show-pen. 



JUDGING MALAYS. — There are only a few judges who seem to understand the proper 



characteristics of Malays at all, and we have at diftcrent times seen 

 the most flagrant errors on this account. Even at Birmingham, on 

 one occasion, we observed the second prize given to a hen which, 

 except that she was very "shiny," had hardly a single Malay point, 

 being short-legged, flat-backed, with an upstanding and well-spread 

 tail, and, to crown all, with a single comb ! Such a bird would not 

 have been even commended by a good judge of the breed ; and the 

 chief Malay, points being very easily recognised, every one liable to 

 be called upon to act as judge should have them clearly in his mind. 

 The long neck, great comparative height, high carriage of head, and 

 high and prominent shoulders, can easily be remembered, and should always be looked for. The 

 back will always droop towards the tail, and the hen should also " play" her tail well, as a 



