Orpingtons. 
211 
large, well-formed birds for the purpose, with sports of the Plyinouth Rocks (that is, black hens), a<fain 
crossing the pullets thus produced with clean-legged Langshan cocks ; they no v breed exceptionally true to 
type, though in former years, owing to their Standard qualities not being so firmly fixed, they were inclined 
to sport a little. They are excellent layers of fair-sized eggs of a light brown or buff colour, and as winter 
layers are unsurpassed by any other variety, and I have found them breed true to type, though occasionally a 
cockerel or two will come with red stripes in hackle and saddle. I find, however, that it is compulsory to 
have separate breeding pens — one to produce cockerels, the other pullets— to obtain my best Show specimens, 
but as this rule is followed out by nearly all Fanciers in whatever breed they keep, this does not show that 
the breed is not to be depended upon. At times I have bred both cockerels and pullets from the one 
breeding pen which scored high honours at our principal Shows, and if a little care and attention were 
devoted to the selection of the parent birds to this end, the majority of chickens of either sex would be of 
high class. The best strains of Orpingtons have white flesh and skin, and the quality of the meat is excelled 
by none. The chickens are extraordinarily hardy (no doubt owing, in a great measure, to their composition), 
fledge quickly and easily, grow at a great rate, and come, almost without exception, true to colour. The hens 
are better layers than any of their progenitors, especially during the winter months, when fresh eggs, as a 
rule, are scarce. The breed is of a very active disposition, considering their size, and they rank high as 
sitters and mothers. If kept in confinement they will give a good return, their plumage being adapted to ' wear 
well,' but if given a good range will be found as energetic as Hamburgs in looking up their own living. 
Where a thoroughly useful and handsome fowl, combined with utility qualifications is desired, I plump for the 
Orpington. I have had fair experience with other varieties, but none approach the Orpington as an all-round 
fowl. Of course, my experience is much the same as others in discovering that it is much easier to breed 
pullets than cockerels, the former coming very true from birds which would scarcely produce a single 
cockerel good in Show points ; and for breeding cockerels it is especially necessary that the stock cock should 
be good in comb and lobe, and with a good sheen on the feathers if cockerels fit for exhibition are desired." 
To Mr. L. L. Ramsay, of Lyons Road, Five Dock, N.S.W., we are indebted for further remarks upon 
the three varieties of Orpingtons, viz., Single-combed Black, Rose-combed Black, and the Buff". Mr. Ramsay 
states : — " In shape the three varieties should resemble each other, with the exception of the comb on the 
Rose variety, this latter being without doubt the noblest-looking of them all, the rose comb setting them off" 
to such advantage — in my opinion excelling in appearance one of the most attractive of all breeds of 
Domestic Poultry, the Black Hamburg. The Rose-combed Orpington was founded by Mr. W. Cook, of 
England, from a cross between a Rose-combed Langshan crossed with Minorcas and Black Plymouth Rocks. 
These breed exceptionally true to feather, quite equalling the Single combed Black variety, though now and 
then a chicken or two will appear with a feather or two on the legs and reddish in hackles, but I have found 
that in this instance that the fault was distinctly traceable to the .same fault (though in a slighter degree) in the 
stock cock, so that it is necessary to use a bird for the breeding pen which is thoroughly sound in colour and 
clean in legs. Orpingtons have been my favourite breed of Poultry for some years, although many different 
breeds have passed through my hands. I first started with the Single-combed Blacks, but quickly obtained 
the Rose-combed variety, and have still further added to my stock with a trio of Single-combed Buffs. Treating 
on the first-named, I have found them excellent layers, and can depend upon obtaining eggs all the year. 
The chickens are very hardy and easily reared, and breed very true to colour, sheen, and shape. It is very 
rare to see a chicken with coloured feathers in hackle or saddle, and 99 per cent, are perfectly free from 
feathers on the legs. The Rose-combed variety quite equal the former-mentioned in every respect, actually 
being better layers, and certainly look more attractive to the eye. 
" My experience with the Buff variety is more limited, as there were none in Australia previous to May, 
1896, on which date I received a trio direct from Messrs. Cook & Sons, England ; but during the past season 
they have proved their laying qualifications without doubt, the hens laying continuously from the first week 
in June till the end of November, and would have continued laying had I not induced them to incubate, in 
order to give their systems a rest after their long and trying voyage. The chickens bred from these birds 
