104 TSE COMPLETE POULTRY BOOK. 



.give the eharacteristies of this lareed as distinct from the ordinary coloreu <m 

 gray birds. (See illustration, page 83.) 



"In size, the SOver-Oray Dorkings rarely equal the colored breeds. The foriu 

 of the body, however, should be identically the same ; and a like remark ajso 

 applies to the comb, wattles, feet, etc. 



"The distinguishing colors of the Silver-Gray Dorking cock are: perfectly 

 black breast, tail, and large tail coverts; the head, neck, hackle, back, saddle 

 and wing-bow. a clear, silvery white. Across the wings there should be a well 

 marked black bar, contrasting in a very striking and beautiful manner with the 

 white outer web of the quill feathers and the silvery white hackle and saddle. 



"In the hens of this beautiful variety the breast is salmon-red, passing into 

 gray toward the thighs. The neck is silvery white, striped with black; the 

 back wings should also be of a silvery or slaty gray, and as free as possible 

 from any tendency to redness. The tail should be dark gray, the inside being 

 very nearly black. " * 



With regard to the special excellences of this breed of fowls Mr. Hewitt says: 

 " There is not a doubt that Colored Dorkings are decidedly the most useful of 

 all fowls for general table purposes ; as not only is the flesh of extremely good 

 quality, but it is produced in far greater abundance than in most varieties. 

 Another very important point in the consideration of the Dorkings is that the 

 greater proportion of flesh will be found on those particular parts most general- 

 ly esteemed; namely, the breast, wings and merry-thoughts; hence they carve 

 to especial advantage. They also grow rapidly, and are in good condition at 

 almost any age, if at all freely supplied with food. As layers, many other fowls 

 are better than Dorkings ; nor do they thrive weU without a good and extensive 

 grass-run. The chicks are delicate youngsters to rear,- particularly if the sub- 

 soil is not remarkably dry and warm; this will at once account for their success 

 on chalky soil. In consequence of their great weight they frequently, when 

 aged, become quite lame and distorted in the feet and toes, from injuries pro- 

 ducing corns and even abscesses ; these are most diflScult to cure, if of long 

 standing; but as a preventive, low perches are absolutely essential; they should 

 never exceed two or three feet from the ground. Dorkings degenerate mos< 

 rapidly in size and character from interbreeding; and for this reason fresh 

 blood should be frequently introduced, or the most speedy and vexations 

 disappointment will certainly ensue. " 



White Dorkings are usuaUy smaller than the Colored, and should be of a clear, 

 white color. Thej-e is a tendency to cream, or straw color in the back and wings 

 of the cocks, which, while it does not amount to an absolute disqualifioatiom, M», 

 still considered a serious fault. . ' 



tt wiU be seen from the foregoing description that the Dorking is not adapted 

 to the wants of American poultrymen; it would seem, however, that some of 

 ite good qualities might profitably be added to some of our hardier American 

 breeds, and it has been used to a certain extent for a similar purpose in England, 

 the cross of the Dorking upon the Asiatic fowls possessing a greater degree of 

 hardmess, combined with the superior table qualities of the former 



*Tegetmeier. 



