16 



CHAPTEE II. 



THE EBVIVAL OF OLD ENGLISH GAME IN THE 

 SHOW PEN. 



BELIEVE that the first poultry show was held in 1846, and 

 from that time exhibitions of fowls have increased in popu- 

 larity until they have assumed their present position, and 

 have become an institution in most countries. Probably they have 

 done much good in encouraging the importation and breeding of 

 new varieties ; to the game fowl they certainly have done much 

 harm. 



"When fanciers began breeding game fowls for show purposes 

 they began to destroy their most valuable points, until at the present 

 time the modern show game presents the curious anomaly of a game 

 cock that is tiot game, and lacks all the attributes of a game foiul. 

 It is not intended by this to decry the modern show production, but 

 simply to state facts. Many, doubtless, admire the modern bird, 

 and some of the old fanciers who have lived to see the game cock 

 gradually resolved into the bird now seen sitting in the show pen, 

 —which on being " stirred up " rises, first on his hocks, then on his 

 feet, then puts his head through the top of the pen, and stands up 

 in all his beauty (?) — must indeed be gratified to know that they have 

 improved the game cock to this, a caricature of the heron. Verily 

 they have their reward ! Now let those fanciers who take 

 up true game for exhibition purposes take warning by this. Do 

 not, I pray you, try to improve the true game cock by adding, 

 exaggerating, or making points which true specimens of the 

 breed do not already possess. It is, perhaps, less the fault of 

 the breeders than the judges, since it is the judge who awards 

 the prizes, and it is to please him that the exhibitor must breed 

 if he wishes to be successful. A judge should show no par- 

 tiality for any particular breed or colour, so long as the colour 

 is good of its kind, with eye, beak, and leg to correspond. 

 Nor should mere size be taken much into consideration ; strength, 



