100 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



as they are rather liable to colds and roup if the crests get 

 wet ; but for this they would be oftener kept than they are. 



There are, in addition to the breeds already named, several 

 others, such as La Bresse and Courtes Pattes, but as these 

 have no special characteristics more than we have already 

 named in the others, and are not very easily obtained in this 

 country, we need not do more than mention them here. 



Game. 



These are probably the oldest of the pure English breeds, 

 and have been bred for many'generations with great care and 

 skill. In olden times cock-fighting was a pastime almost 

 national, and was indulged in by both rich and poor. Game 

 fowls were bred for this purpose, courage and endurance 

 being most sought after, and these were combined with great 

 beauty of plumage. Some of the highest men of England 

 thought it no dishonour to breed fowls for this purpose; and 

 important "mains" were regarded with as great interest as 

 are some of the chief race meetings now — this too within 

 the memory of man, for there are many living now, and not 

 old men either, who were accustomed to indulge in this cruel 

 pastime. In modern times a higher standard of taste has 

 done away with cock-fighting, except such as is carried on 

 secretly ; but the change has not done away with the splendid 

 race of fowls, though it is much changed from the old fight- 

 ing days. Unfortunately, however, the pugnacious nature 

 remains, and for this cause most people are unable to keep 

 game birds pure. For crossing purposes, as we shall after- 

 wards see, they can be utilised ; and, as all kinds of games 

 are fair layers, splendid sitters, attentive mothers, have the 

 finest eating flesh of any race of domestic fowl, are very 

 hardy, easy to rear, and can be kept on any soil when at 

 liberty, if this crossing is judiciously done, these characteris- 



