Various Results of Crossing. 149 



Such hens are generally very compact, and we would sooner pair them with Jonques than with 

 Buffs, which in some feather points they resemble. Choose a hen which, if not so brown, is 

 brighter and purer in colour, and in every instance, male or female. Yellow or Buff, avoid birds 

 having a greenish tinge, often betokening a common extraction. 



The first and simplest cross to restore declining colour is with the richest Self-coloured Green 

 Norwich hen; and we would not in this instance insist on the rule for mating Jonque and Mealy 

 being carried out, preferring rather to use a compact Yellow cock. This cross, being less likely 

 to sport than any other, will give least trouble, and is one to be recommended if there be any 

 tendency on the Cinnamon side to throw occasional white feathers. From this cross will come 

 some improved whole-coloured Cinnamons direct, while such Greens as may be produced will be 

 invaluable colour-fountains. Not one should be sold till tested, for a Green cock from this cross 

 may, when paired with a Cinnamon hen, throw Cinnamons of the purest water ; and if one or two 

 foundation pairs have been mated as directed, the Green cocks from the one when paired with the 

 Green hens from the other may also produce a preponderance of Cinnamons, which are certain to be 

 of high character. Where a breeder is working with but one or two pairs there is not scope for much 

 interbreeding of this kind, but if the same cock be mated with two or three hens. Yellows and 

 Buffs, it will be plain that from the offspring two or three threads can be twisted into one, and 

 desirable forms concentrated, at the same time that the admixture of Yellow and Buff will afford 

 material for keeping up the texture of the feather. It is unnecessary that we again enunciate 

 the general principles which should guide the intelligent breeder in gathering up his threads. 

 Concentration into one channel is the leading idea. All that is requisite is to have shown how 

 to spin the threads out of a peculiar material. 



To detail the working of a cross in which the vehicle for introducing colour is a Variegated 

 hen would be merely to repeat the instructions given in Chapter XIII. on breeding Clear Norwich 

 from the Variegated form. It might be asked. Why make use of Variegated birds and court 

 difficulties, when the same result may be obtained from Selfs with less trouble .' We do not say 

 the same results, or rather such good results, will follow the cross with the Green, as will eventuate 

 from pairing with a rich Jonque Variegated hen having the pure yellow well developed. The Green 

 cross will make a marked improvement, but an infusion of brighter blood from a Variegated or 

 Clear spring will do still more in producing a brighter and warmer hue. This cross will also furnish 

 the breeder with several classes of birds, all of which are valuable for different purposes. There 

 will probably be Clear Cinnamons, at once, which will show the highest and purest form of colour, 

 and which may be mated with the original strain without more ado. It must not be expected that 

 such mating will produce nests entirely free from blemish, because the Clear Norwich blood is very 

 near the surface, and will, in all probability, bubble up ; but it is a very safe cross, and one from which 

 very little trouble may be expected. Then there will be others in all degrees of variegation, heavy and 

 light, which will require dealing with according to the extent and quality of the cinnamon marking. 

 Some may be merely ticked, some have nothing more than pied wings or tail, and others may be 

 irregularly splashed. For every one there will be a place. Some may be Green or broken Green : 

 these also can all be treated as Cinnamons, and worked accordingly. But some will probably show 

 very fair marJdng, either cinnamon or green, and one or two may be clear from cinnamon-coloured 

 feathers entirely, but yet have \\\ft pink eye, which, we may remark, can be discerned by the merest 

 novice directly the young birds leave the shell, and is the distinguishing mark by which the breeder 

 can determine at once the character of a mixed nest in which he anticipates finding Cinnamons. 

 The existence of this pink eye does not appear to be so known as it should be^ as the infallible 

 tell-tale of Cinnamon blood ; and many instances have come under our observation of persons 



