3i6 



The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



birds in any pen must match. The two strains have been so inter-bred, that often both rose 

 and single combs have been known to proceed from the very same parents; but it is in the 

 power of any breeder very speedily to correct this irregularity, and fix either feature in his 

 own strain. The rose-combed birds have a great tendency to become very coarse ab^ut the 

 head in their second year, which detracts greatly from their good looks as exhibitic- birds ; 

 this, too, however, may be eradicated by [careful attention to fine "quality" of head and face, 

 and we have seen several very " old stagers" which, after several years of successful competition, 

 still looked high-bred and aristocratic fowls. 



The general points to be sought in breeding stock have been well described by Mr. Martin. 

 We append in Fig. 74 a representation of the dark plumage he alludes to as preferred by himself 



Hackle. 



Breast. Flat of Wing. 



Fig. 74. — Feathers of Dark-coloured Dorking Hen. 



Saddle. 



(and also by the judges) for Dorking hens. The breast is salmon-red, each feather tipped 

 with dark grey or black ; the wing-feathers black round the edges, with a rich brown centre, 

 pencilled or shaded with black, and the back and saddle almost black ; all the feathers except 

 the breast showing the white shaft very distinctly. With regard to breeding for this or any 

 other colour, it is impossible to put the matter in a better or more simple manner than he 

 has done, viz., to take care that the cock is descended from the same coloured stock as the 

 hens you have selected. It is said, indeed, in all the older works on poultry that Grey Dorkings 

 are not "birds of colour," but judged solely by size, weight, shape, condition, &c. It used 

 to be so ; but of late there has been such a marked preference shown by judges for the " dark" 

 colour described by Mr. Martin, and figured above, or failing that, for the richest and most hand- 

 some appearance, that colour can no longer be ignored. To breed the dark colour in question, 

 cocks with very black haclcles will be found necessary; and we may add that white in the tail 



