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Chapter XXXII. 
AUSTRALIAN GAME (MODERN TYPE). 
The major breeds of Poultry derive their names from the localities from which it is generally supposed or 
believed they sprang, so that the breed on which we are now treating, being a purely Australian production, 
is aptly named the " Australian Game Fowl." In the earlier period of its history it was closely identified 
with sport, and was bred solely for the purpose of cockfighting, but the old order of things became completely 
changed by the advent of Poultry Shows, and one now sees in the Show pens birds right worthy of the proud 
and national name they bear. To the many and enthusiastic admirers of the breed, and they are legion, 
there is no variety of the Game Race held in such high esteem as the modern production, and we very much 
question if there is a single variety of the Game Race its equal in appearance, strength, courage, indomitable 
pluck, and generally economic qualities. Their beautiful plumage, of the hardest and glossiest possible 
character, accompanied with such perfection of proportion in physical contour, places them on the very 
highest pinnacle in the Poultry World. Their graceful carriage and splendid action exhibit their highly-bred 
character to full advantage, and there is no breed of Fowls extant that can " fill the eye," from an artistic 
point of view, to the same extent as the Modern Australian Game Fowl. Within the past fifteen years the 
breed has undergone much change, certainly and conclusively owing to the decline of cock fighting, and to 
the growth of Show competition in lieu thereof, though at the same time their main characteristic, that of 
being game to the death, has not been sacrificed in the slightest degree. Of course, like many other breeds 
of Poultry, one often notices exaggerated specimens exhibited, and this breed has probably suffered more by 
the incompetency or ignorance of Judges than any other, in many instances the Judges possessing little or 
no knowledge of the breed, awarding prizes to different specimens which had nothing in common ; but, 
thanks to the energy and perseverance of a number of staunch adherents, backed up by the valuable aid of 
the Poultry Societies of N.S.W., a definite Standard has now been drawn up, which will materially assist in 
bringing the breed more prominently into notice throughout the world. 
That there is no variety of the Game Tribe more typical in appearance, and none other which possess 
such iron constitutions, is an undoubted fact ; and the present breeders of the Australian Game Fowl owe a 
lasting tribute to the memories of those men who many years back devoted much time and patience to the 
origination and improvement of this magnificent breed of Poultry. 
The Hawkesbury district (N.S.W.), at the present moment (and for many years past), is, undoubtedly, the 
headquarters of the Australian Game Fowl. The majority of the farmers and settlers in that portion of the 
Colony swear by them for their absolutely unequalled economic qualities, very few specimens of other breeds 
of Poultry, with the exception of a sprinkling of Malays, being found in the locality. It is a common 
occurrence, at the annual fixture of the Hawkesbury District Agricultural and Horticultural Association, to 
find over 300 specimens of the breed of various colours on exhibition, two classes being devoted to coops of 
twelve birds, cockerels and pullets respectively, fhev being recognised as the best of all Table Poultry. It is 
positively astonishing to note the uniformity of type existing among the exhibits, more especially as it is fully 
acknowledged that they are composed of a mixture of different bloods. There is, however, a marked 
tendency, especially in the pullets, to revert to the flat comb of the Malay ; but this is easily accounted for, 
as the farmers do not, as a general rule, pay the slightest attention to the breeding stock, so as (from a Show 
point of view) to eradicate this fault. In their eyes the comb being either triple or flat does not matter ; what 
is chiefly looked for is great size, hard, close, lustrous plumage, and an abundance of white, juicy meat on 
wings, thighs, and breast. These essential characteristics are found in the class of fowls bred all over the 
district, and, being bred and reared under the conditions and surroundings of free and unlimited range, " fill 
