442 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



UNCLASSED VARIETIES OF POULTRY. 



At nearly all poultry-shows of any standing, there is, in addition to the classes for the recognised 

 standard breeds, one for "Any Other New or Distinct Variety." Many of the fowls already 

 treated of usually appear in it, and many more did appear in it before they had won their right to 

 have classes of their own. Brahmas first made their dc'but in this class ; so did French fowls ; 

 and so do all new breeds, such as those treated of in our last chapter, which have every one (except 

 the Brown Leghorn, which has not been shown in England up to the time we write) won prizes in 

 this class. Cuckoo Cochins, Andalusians, Minorcas, and in general all the less known and little- 

 prized colours of even standard breeds, have to content themselves with this " refuge for the 

 destitute;" but, besides these and such as these, there are several varieties more or less marked, 

 which cannot be classed under any of the great races. Some of these are well known, appearing 

 at nearly every show ; others are more seldom seen : but all have special characteristics more or 

 less marked, some of them, indeed, possessing points the most peculiar and characteristic of any. 

 Such unclassed varieties, so far as known to us, we propose to consider in the present chapter. 



DUMPIES. — This breed, also called Eakies, Go-laighs, and some other local names, was 

 formerly rather a favourite in Scotland. The peculiarity of the fowl is the extreme shortness of 

 the shanks, often not exceeding an inch and a half. The breed appears to us to be rapidly dying 

 out, and Mr. T. Raines, of Stirling, writes us to the same effect, saying that " they are scarcely ever 

 seen now, though I know one or two parties that have them. They are," he continues, " very 

 profitable birds, and very good for table, having, in spite of their very short legs, a large body. 

 They have a fine single upright comb, a rather large tail with good sickles ; and the colour much 

 resembles that of the Scotch Grey, only the cock is rather lighter in ^olour." 



We have only seen two pens of these birds for several years, both of which were very poor. In 

 one case there were evident traces of feather on the legs, and in both the colour was more of a 

 common brown speckle than the colour described by Mr. Raines, which is that of the Dominique 

 or other Cuckoo fowls. 



The weight of the Dumpy hen should be about six pounds. It will be a pity should the breed 

 become extinct, since its short legs and plump body, with its hardy constitution, give it evident 

 value, even as a cross with more stilty breeds. 



FRIZZLED FOWLS. — These fowls are properly called by the name here given, which 

 graphically describes the appearance of the plumage; the name of "Friesland" fowls which is 

 often applied to them having no foundation whatever beyond the ridiculous attempt to put the 

 proper nomenclature into a more "genteel" form. If any local name at all be given, that 

 suggested by Mr. Tollcmache would have decidedly the best claim, though tlie Frizzled fowl is 

 found in nearly every part of the world. 



