3i8 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



presently described, and is also like it in the breast-feathers being usually free from black of grey 

 at the tips ; in fact, it is evidently from this class of birds the Silver-greys have been derived. 

 These hens are very handsome in colour; but as a rule are not equal to either of the preceding 

 in either real or apparent size, and being thus unable to win except unusually large, have gone 

 out of fashion ; a fancy we own to personally for this feather being also not shared generally 

 by breeders and judges. It is in fact too near the Silver-grey to be favoured by breeders of what 

 is always understood to be the darker variety of the two. 



The still lighter uniform grey speckle from which the old Grey Dorking undoubtedly took 

 its name is never now seen in show-birds ; or if it is, only to be beaten hopelessly by the 

 superior weight and size of the darker usurpers. About the country, however, it is still 

 occasionally met with ; and many experienced housekeepers have expressed to us a most decided 

 opinion that while it cannot be compared as regards size with the modern bird, it is more delicate 

 and juicy in flesh. 



Coloured Dorkings do well on any dry soil, especially if the aspect of theTr run be somewhat 

 warm ; but they are very rarely good layers. As sitters they are perhaps the best of all fowls, 

 going long with their chickens, and brooding them more than either of the Asiatic races. It 

 is, however, as a table fowl, or when birds are chiefly required for market, that this breed shows 

 to advantage — on tJiat ground it will beat all others. It "makes its weight" early — a very 

 great advantage ; and has a natural aptitude for getting and keeping fat — the fruit of long and 

 sedulous breeding for that object — which scarcely even the French breeds possess. Chalk or 

 gravel runs suit the breed best ; and upon such a soil, if not hatched too early, there is no 

 difficulty whatever in rearing them, if proper care be given to cleanliness and the ground be 

 not overstocked. These precautions they require, being more subject than most fowls to 

 roup, gapes, and other diseases which have any connection with foul ground. 



It is worthy of note, that when brought up under more natural circumstances, the Dorking 

 appears to become at least moderately hardy. At Linton Park, Mr. Martin had yards enough 

 at his command; but at a visit we paid (we think in 1 866) we found the whole of Lady 

 Holmesdale's far-famed stock at perfect liberty in the park. A number of portable wooden 

 houses mounted on wheels were provided, and dotted about on the extensive sward at distances 

 sufficient to avoid any danger of the different families mixing, the more so as they were hidden 

 one from the other by intervening trees. These houses were moved a little every two or three days, 

 to avoid any necessity for cleaning ; and open windows were provided at each end, which were only 

 covered by a coarse linen curtain in the very severest weather. Under this treatment, as we 

 remarked in Chapter I., the fowls gradually improved most wonderfully in constitution ; and we did 

 not observe even a single old bird but what exhibited the close, "glued-down" appearance 

 just now described, and which can never be attained but with the most perfect health and 

 condition. They fairly shone like the richest velvet ; and while the very closeness of feather 

 prevented their looking so large as far inferior specimens wliich we have seen, the real weight of a 

 few we picked up (and it amused us to find them almost as tame as pet cats) was enormous. 

 These birds always showed well, going to show after show with little apparent injury, on account 

 of the splendid constitution with which they began. Such results point to the conclusion that 

 were the Dorking thus bred and reared, on a good drained grass-range, to a greater extent, it 

 might probably be transformed into a hardy breed. 



Mr. Martin's experience of interbreeding with Dorkings does not appear to have been different 

 from that of other fanciers with more vigorous stocks ; but we must admit that in the case of this 

 variety we should be far more anxious to obtain occasional "fresh blood" than with other breeds- 



