Colour of Dorking Hens. 



317 



should be avoided as far as possible, as we have several times seen that blemish, though it 

 would not weigh in most cases, give the " casting vote " in a close competition. 



Almost the only other colour of hens which can be shown with success against the very- 

 dark just described, is a plumage whicli resembles all over that of the feather from flat of 

 wing in Fig. 74, but of a still lighter brownish-grey in the centre, and showing the dark lacing 

 round the edges rather more sharply. This latter colour is very rich and pleasing to the eye, 

 and not long since was rather a favourite type, while it still competes successfully, and we 



Hackle. Flat of "Wing. Wing Covert. 



Fig- 75- — Feathers of Medium-coloured Dorking Hen. 



Saddle 



are inclined to think sometimes produces quite as heavy weights. The cocks of this coloured 

 strain have generally rather clearer coloured hackles than the last, though with a much more 

 brilliant black stripe in each feather, and are not quite so subject to white in the tail, hence 

 they make very handsome and striking-looking birds ; but it is a singular fact, that while, as 

 we have just remarked, we have often observed very large hens of this coloured strain, most of 

 the cocks, according to our observation, are hardly equal in size to the darker birds. In Fig. 75 are 

 carefully represented feathers from a splendid hen of this variety which has won numerous prizes, 

 and is the one represented in the Plate. 



We have occasionally seen birds win of a still lighter colour ; the feathers still resembling in 

 character those shov '" Fig. 75, but of a yet paler shade, and the black lacing much narrower, 

 or on some birds ly discernible. This colour approaches very nearly to the Silver-grey 



