Other Varieties of Polish. 407 



success rewarded experiments made in the same direction by Mr. Tegetmeier ; but it is to be 

 regretted that in neither case was the attempt persevered with. In Mr. Tegetmeier's case we are 

 informed the chief difficulty to be mastered was the fact, that though chickens were produced 

 nearly or quite white in the body, at their next moult they became speckled all over. This 

 difficulty, however, might probably have been overcome with a little patience and care. 



Black Polish are very rarely seen, and are probably related to the White, though which must 

 be regarded as the parent stock is somewhat doubtful. These birds are generally, however, very 

 small, which makes the origin we have supposed somewhat uncertain. 



Cuckoo Polish we have seen twice, but the colour does not look handsome or showy in this 

 variety. As we have previously observed, there is no difficulty whatever in breeding this colour. 



Blue or Grey Polish resemble Andalusians in colour. They rarely breed true, and in our 

 opinion occur from crossing White-crested Black with White, as their chickens are often either 

 one of these colours or cuckoo in marking, as well as blue. In fact, the relation of both the 

 Blue colour and the Cuckoo to White or Black at some period more or less remote, is one of the 

 best ascertained facts in all poultry-breeding. The Blue Polish have also frequently white 

 top-knots, which makes the parentage we have suggested still more probable. 



There was a variety of Polish — now we fear extinct — resembling in plumage the Silver- 

 pencilled Hamburgh, but very robust in form, and with heavy crests and beards. The effect must 

 have been very beautiful, and it would be worth while attempting to resuscitate this marking, which 

 might possibly be done by crossing a heavily-marked Pencilled cock with a White Polish hen. 



Some other varieties of Polish have been seen on the Continent, but their fixity of character is 

 very uncertain. It must, however, be granted that any marking which occurs in fowls \s possible also in 

 Polish, and the extensive prevalence of the crested type of bird all over the Continent makes it very 

 likely that there are yet other varieties there which might be added to our yards. It is much to be 

 wished that some of our great dealers would make diligent and systematic search in this direction, 

 which might perhaps yet be rewarded by the recovery of the coveted Black-crested White breed. 



There are other recognised breeds which are distinctly of the Polish type. The Cr^vecceur is 

 really nothing but a large Black Poland with a larger comb ; and the other French races are all 

 beyond a doubt crossed with the same family, even the La Fl^che having originally had a small crest. 

 These breeds will, however, be best treated of in another chapter ; and Sultans, which also have 

 affinities with the present race, have some other characteristics so distinct that we shall refer for 

 them to the chapter on miscellaneous varieties. The Creve, however, is evidently a Polish fowl 

 almost pure, and we have often been astonished that Polish breeders have not used it both to 

 improve the size and deepen the lacing of the older races. Perhaps the most promising commence- 

 ment towards recovering the grand size as well as colour of the old Black-crested White breed, 

 might be a cross of the Black Creve cock mated with White Polish hens ; and a judicious cross of 

 the Creve with the other varieties would speedily yield results of a very striking character, both as 

 regards size and marking. 



The general qualities of Polish will have been already gathered. The bearded varieties appear 

 fairly hardy ; and though individuals differ greatly, on the whole all the varieties must be pronounced 

 excellent layers. The meat is most excellent ; being peculiarly juicy and tender. Polish have 

 another great merit, they are perhaps of all breeds the best adapted to thrive and be happy in 

 strict confinement — that is, if the sole run be a wired-in and covered shed. Provided such a shed be 

 kept very dry in the floor and very clean, Polish will thrive and look well in it ; of course, supposing 

 the necessities of diet be attended to. Lime rubbish mixed with sand or gravel makes an excellent 

 bottom for them ; and if kindly treated they become almost immediately as tame as cats. We 



