American Game Fowls. 295 



descended from hen-tailed Game), we see how apt the feature is to transmit itself with a Httle 

 care ; and that our supposition is correct, and that the strain once formed was preserved sedulously 

 apart from a period now impossible to determine, is rendered further probable by the different 

 colours and style of birds, which are very different from the standard breeds of Game. In style 

 they are larger and heavier, occasionally reaching as much as nine pounds, and approaching the 

 kind of bird formerly bred by cock-fighters much more than those now bred by fanciers. In 

 colour they vary greatly. The birds represented are of a Red type, and of a strain which has 

 been -in Mr. Harris's own possession for thirty years, and that of his family for a much longer 

 period ; the illustration is of a mother and son, and the weights of these particular birds when in 

 condition are stated as seven pounds ten ounces for the cock, and six pounds six ounces for the 

 hen. There are also Blacks, Greys, and other colours, besides mixtures arising from crossing 

 them. The Reds, and, in fact, most other colours of Hennies, have white or pinky -white legs, and, 

 of course, white skins. These points, with their large size, make them decidedly the best for 

 table of any breed of Game; their hardiness being also a recommendation to those who only wish 

 fowls for table purposes, but who share our own opinion that the Game fowl is the finest eating of 

 all varieties of poultry. 



The varieties or colours known to and described by the old cock-fighters were almost endless. 

 Caring, as they did, very little for colour merely, they bred all sorts ; and some of these were 

 known by names which could not be mentioned in a work of this description. As specimens, 

 however, of the names by which some of the colours were known, we may mention Blue Duns, Red 

 Duns, Mealy Greys, Polecats, Treacle-breasted Marigold Duckwings, Ginger-breasted Orange 

 Blues, Dark Birchens or Birchen-greys, &c. Others, such as the Tassels, furnished with a tuft or 

 crest of long feathers ; Muffs, having a lot of feathers about the throat ; Rose-combs, from the low, 

 flat, spiked comb ; Round-polls, showing clear indications of crossing with the Asiatic ; and the 

 Hennies described above, seem to have been really distinct breeds, but, except the Henny, do not 

 require further mention. 



In America, where cock-fighting is still carried on to a very large extent, though in most 

 States prohibited as in England, the same syste^.i of breeding is still carried on ; indeed, the 

 various strains are yet more confounded, American breeders of Game being as a rule vehemently 

 opposed to all in-breeding. Dr. Cooper, in his work of 300 pages on " Game Fowls," which is 

 written entirely from the cock-pit point of view, and which lies before us as we write, is very 

 strongly against the practice, and in favour of crosses, contrary to the belief of the best English 

 breeders of all kinds of stock.* He gives description byname of over sixty distinct strains; most of 

 which, however, seem to derive their appellatives from the breeders, or other qualities than blood or 

 colour. As a choice sample, we may quote the names of Counterfeits, Clippers, Tartars, Clai- 

 bornes, Old Nicks, Strychnines, Bob Mace Shufflers, Billy Beards, Gee Dominies, Susquehanna 



* We have in preceding pages given our views on this matter, which are in the main that good or ill results from in-breefling 

 will chiefly depend upon hnu it is managed ; but as these pages go to press a communication readies us from Mr. James Ruthvcu, 

 formerly secretary of the celebrated North British Columbarian Society, containing a statement wliich is rather interesting, and 

 directly contradictory of some absurd statements which have been published as to the necessity of evil following from in-breeding, 

 even in its worst form. He writes thus : — "There is one fact I became acquainted with three years since. A gentleman in Ireland 

 got one pair of Tnimpeter Pigeons, and put them into a large loft alone. He kept them there fifteen years, breeding and 

 producing, without once adding fresh blood, only when they got too numerous killing off. The produce are as strong birds and as 

 healthy as could be desired. This being the reverse of the common theory, I thought it worth trying myself, and I consequently 

 have matched up the produce of one pair together for tlu-ee years, and the young are still as strong and healthy as their parents.'' 

 Of course breeding in this way is not to be recommended, but the contrary ; and we only give such facts as confirmatory of the 

 views we have ourselves advanced. 



