224 MY POULTRY DAY BY DAY 
nice large white egg, especially if well housed in winter. In the 
west of England and parts of Wales the Minorca is as frequently 
seen as is the Leghorn in other parts of England. It was imported 
from the island bearing its name about 1830. It is not quite so 
hardy as some of the other Mediterranean types and is not suitable 
for very exposed positions. Crossed with the Leghorn, it is hardier, 
and is a particularly perky bird, flying like a pigeon and poking its 
beak into everything. A cross with the Langshan, with which it 
seems to possess an affinity, is also very successful. 
ORPINGTONS 
One of the modern varieties of fowls, it is deservedly popular. 
It is a wonderful winter egg-layer and a finer brown egg one could 
not desire tosee. Asarule it is very broody, and as such makes an 
excellent mother, though rather trying to the man who wants eggs. 
Where broodiness has been partially bred out of the bird it isa 
great egg-layer, doing its best in winter when other fowls are only 
thinking about it. The crosses that created the Orpington are 
well known, including the Dorking, Buff Cochin and Hamburgh 
for the Buff variety; the Black Minorca, Black Plymouth Rock 
and Langshan are at the root of the Black Orpingtons. The 
latter variety have taken a high position in Australia as prolific 
egg-layers, and no doubt they could be cultivated to do equally 
well in this country. 
There are also White and Spangled types of Orpington. All 
make splendid table birds, being big, plump and white-fleshed. 
They do well crossed with almost any other breed. 
Piymoutu Rock 
This fowl, of American origin, was probably bred from the 
Brahma, the Black Java and the Dominique, but is now a well- 
established variety. Like most American productions, it pays its 
way. A splendid winter layer of brown eggs, it is inclined to 
broodiness in summer. The plumage of the Plymouth Rock is 
