Breedlvg Silver- pencilled Hamburghs. 



381 



the next, so as to give the bird a ruled or Hned appearance, which has a very prett}- effect. A 

 coarsely-pencilled bird is not to be thought of in these days, having a spotty or speckled appearance 

 which is not the correct thing at all, though formerly such birds were the rule. By careful breeding^ 

 however, a race has now been produced which leaves little to be desired, though I must own that 

 one point we have yet to obtain in the hens, and that is a pencilled wing, which is as yet almost 

 devoid of pencilling. I hope, however, we may get even this in time. 



" The pencilling is generally much the best the first year, or as pullets. Afterwards, as a rule 

 it becomes somewhat mossy, cloudy, or indistinct, and often coarse. Some birds, however, will 



Breast. 



Slioulder. Saddle. Tail-covert. 



Fig. 86.— Feathers of Silver-pencilled Hamburgh Pullet. 



moult out well the second season, and such should be specially valued, and by all means retained 

 for breeding. 



" In breeding this variety the same birds should breed both sexes of good quality, if the stock is 

 chosen with judgment ; two sets not being required, though some breeders use such. Of course, as I 

 have before said, there will be, as in all varieties, some families that produce better of one sex than 

 the other ; still there should in this case be no great disparity in the quality of the male and female 

 birds, and for myself I prefer to breed from one set. It is, however, possible to breed very good show 

 cockerels from hens with no quality of pencilling at all ; and therefore, in making up a yard, it is 

 very essential the strain of the cock bird should be thoroughly ascertained to be a well-pencilled 

 one. As for the hen, she will speak for herself. It is satisfactory to see that our most popular 

 judges favour those cock birds that possess the points most likely to produce good pullets ; and if 



