Breeding Golden-spangled Hamburghs. 373 



pullet.' What precise meaning attaches to this soubriquet I never inquired, though it is evidently 

 connected somehow with the old man's triumphs at these shows where only hens and pullets were 

 shown ; but he always takes it in good part. The old fellow is a rare breeder still ; but the 

 Hamburghs — Gold and Silver — are the only varieties he cares about, and I much doubt if he 

 could tell even the names of many other fowls. Another fine old fancier and breeder is old 

 Nathan Marlor ; and I must say that breeders and fanciers of both the Spangled varieties are 

 much indebted to these two men, who have been greatly instrumental in bringing the Mooney to 

 such a state of excellence. 



" Both the breeds thus described being in existence at the early time we have been speaking 

 of, the Lancashire Mooney hens were first shown with the Yorkshire hen-feathered cocks ; but 

 when the judges began to set their faces against the hen-feathered birds (and their reign was very 

 short), the Yorkshire Pheasant's career, as an exhibition bird, was over. After that the cocks 

 shown with the Mooney hens were of the full-feathered Yorkshire breed ; but neither variety then 

 possessed the points of excellence required by the judges. TheYorkshire Pheasant was too dull 

 in ground-colour and not distinct enough in the Spangling ; while the Mooneys, especially the. 

 cocks, had black breasts and red ear-lobes, and if anything (especially in a room) were almost too 

 deep and rich in the ground-colour. The necessary change began first with the cocks. As the 

 Yorkshire birds were found to be too dull in colour, and it was out of the question exhibiting 

 Mooney cocks, the Yorkshire cock was put to the Mooney hens, and thus by careful and judicious 

 crossing a bird was produced having somewhat of the richness in plumage of the Mooney, at the 

 same time retaining the spangled breast and whitish ear-lobes of the Pheasant. These were the 

 cocks for some time shown with Mooney hens. After a time, however, as the competition became 

 keener, and richness of plumage became one of the chief points requisite to success, a little more 

 of the Mooney blood was introduced ; and at the present day we possess cocks which leave little 

 to be desired either in that point or in ear-lobes, which have been by careful breeding brought to a 

 perfection neither breed originally had. The hens also were operated upon, the red ears of the 

 pure Mooney being found an eyesore. To remedy this a dash of the Yorkshire Pheasant blood 

 was introduced, which also had the good effect of giving a very slightly lighter tint to the ground- 

 colour; and now, by this crossing and judicious selection, we possess a breed of hens also that 

 combine all the richness of the Mooney with a slightly lighter ground-colour and the desired white 

 ear-lobe. Both sexes thus containing some mixture of blood, are gradually approximating ; and 

 though I am bound to confess that the most successful breeders still use two pens to breed from, 

 the distinction will gradually lessen, and we are rapidly approaching in this variety also to a strain 

 which will breed both sexes without more difference than all varieties usually exhibit in point 

 of excellence. 



" As in the preceding variety, breeding from the pure Yorkshire Pheasant is now almost dis- 

 carded. For breeding pullets I advise the beginner to get the very best hens from an exhibition 

 point of view that he can lay his hands upon ; there is not much need to inquire about the strain, 

 as in a hen this will speak for itself. Then let him get a cock from some good breeder out of a well- 

 known pullet strain, and if possible of the very same strain as the hens or pullets he is breeding 

 from ; for I always find that birds bred akin produce by far the most perfect specimens. Then if 

 you find these birds produce first-class chickens, keep them together and breed from them as long 

 as ever you can, and do not on any account attempt to improve them by a cross, or you may 

 improve them the wrong way. If the produce is not satisfactory, try again ; but this simple 

 method of selection will rarely fail, and is about the only one which can be given at the present day. 



" For cockerels pursue a similar plan. Get the very best exhibition cock you can procure. 



