55 



CHAPTEE VI. 



THE USEFUL PEOPEETIES OF OLD ENGLISH GAME. 



NOUGH has already been written of the history, points, 

 and fighting of game fowls ; let us now turn to what is 

 of more interest to the general fancier, viz., their useful 

 qualities. It has already been stated that old English game stand in 

 front of any variety whatever as table fowls ; carrying, as they do, 

 the largest proportion of white, delicate, and nutritious meat, with 

 the smallest amount of waste, offal, or bone. They carry more 

 breast meat in proportion to their size than any other fowl, and 

 killed from a good run they more than other fowls resemble the 

 pheasant in flavour. Many strains of game are excellent layers of 

 good sized and beautifully flavoured eggs ; hennies, black breasted 

 reds, and piles, standing first in this respect. If checked when 

 wanting to sit they will continue laying for some time. I have 

 had game hens lay over sixty eggs before becoming broody, and 

 continue laying throughout the greater part of the year. 



As sitters and mothers they are invaluable, quiet on their eggs, 

 close sitters, regular in leaving and returning to their nest, and 

 when the brood is hatched they are the best of mothers, not tramp- 

 ling and killing their chickens by treading them under foot, as is 

 often the case with large and heavy breeds ; whilst against cats, 

 vermin, or indeed any enemy, they will defend them to the last. 

 Another recommendation is that, according to their size and weight, 

 they have smaller appetites, and can subsist on less food than any 

 variety ; indeed, on a good run they will almost get their own living, 

 foraging everywhere, not standing idly about as in the case of the 

 Asiatic breeds, but ever moving. 



They are very valuable for an unprotected place, whether it be 

 a wild run, or near a road or a stable yard, both from their activity 

 in avoiding danger themselves and their courage in defending their 



