252 FOWLS. 



Chap. VII. 



with some sub-varieties of the pile-game, a moderately close 

 relation may be observed between the males and females in the 

 variation of their plumage. 45 A similar relation is also evident 

 when we compare the several varieties of Cochins. In the two 

 sexes of gold and silver-spangled and of buff Polish fowls, there 

 is much general similarity in the colouring and marks of the 

 whole plumage, excepting of course in the hackles, crest, and 

 beard. In spangled Hamburghs, there is likewise a considerable 

 degree of similarity between the two sexes. In pencilled Hani- 

 burghs, on the other hand, there is much dissimilarity ; the pen- 

 cilling which is characteristic of the hens being almost absent in 

 the males of both the golden and silver varieties. But, as we have 

 already seen, it cannot be given as a general rule that male fowls 

 never have pencilled feathers, for Cuckoo Dorkings are " remark- 

 able from having nearly similar markings in both sexes." 



It is a singular fact that the males in certain sub-breeds have 

 lost some of their secondary masculine characters, and, from 

 their close resemblance in plumage to the females, are often 

 called hennies. There is much diversity of opinion whether these 

 males are in any degree sterile; that they sometimes are par- 

 tially sterile seems clear, 46 but this may have been caused by 

 too close interbreeding. That they are not quite sterile, and 

 that the whole case is widely different from that of old females 

 assuming masculine characters, is evident from several of these 

 hen-like sub-breeds having been long propagated. The males 

 and females of gold and silver-laced Sebright Bantams can be 

 barely distinguished from each other, except by their combs, 

 wattles, and spurs, for they are coloured alike, and the males 

 have not hackles, nor the flowing sickle-like tail-feathers. A 

 hen-tailed sub-breed of Hamburghs was recently much esteemed. 

 There is also a breed of Game-fowls, in which the males and 

 females resemble each other so closely that the cocks have 

 often mistaken their hen-feathered opponents in the cock-pit for 

 real hens, and by the mistake have lost their lives. 47 The cocks, 



45 



See the full description of the try Book,' 1866, pp. 246 and 156. For 



varieties of the Game-breed, in Teget- hen-tailed game-cocks, see p. 131. 



meier's * Poultry Book,' 1866, p. 131. V i The Field,' April 20th, 1861. The 



For Cuckoo Dorkings, p. 97. writer says he has seen half-a-dozen 



H 



46 



Mr. Hewitt in Tegetmeier's ' Poul- cocks thus sacrificed. 



