Australian Game (Modern Type). 
267 
Australian origin. Our knowledge of this variety extends over a period of 30 years, and they were bred in 
great numbers for the Pit about 20 years back. From one prominent breeder we had the assurance that this 
Black stock were the descendants of Black Malays and old-fashioned British Game crossed, breeding back 
to the black colour for preference. This breeder had kept the variety for over 20 years prior to our 
knowledge of them. Mr. Clarke writes : — 
"These 'Malay Game' were imported from Sydney (N.S.\\'.), for Mr. J. E. Brannon, of San Francisco, 
though the original birds have since come into the hands of the writer. They have pea-combs, and in many 
respects bear close resemblance to the Aseel, but are a trifle higher in station, and are more heavily feathered, 
with longer wings and tail. In colour they are glossy black of the most brilliant, lustrous kind. Even the 
hen has such a polish to her coat as would make a Langshan pale with envy. Dark eyes, legs, beak, and 
face ; they are very decided brunettes, and graceful as a Creole. Though they look something like Aseels 
they are quicker in movement, and can drive the gaffs with a truer aim ; at the same time they are 
considerably ahead of American and English cocks in muscle, lung-power, and ability to stand fatigue. The 
old cock has been in three mains, and, though getting along in years now, still seems good for several more. 
He fought at 51b. 6oz. ; the younger birds run from 51b. 40Z. to 61b. This variety is quite different from the 
Malays seen in Australian Poultry Shows, and is not at all like the so-called 'Colonial Game.' It is 
undoubtedly of Indian origin, but further than this its history is not known." 
Next come the Duckwings ; and these, though not nearly so numerous as the two first mentioned, are 
growing in favour gradually and surely, and, though we have seen at times an occasional specimen better 
than any of the other colours of the same year, as a general rule they are softer-feathered and more clumsily 
built, though, again, for the Pit the Silver or Grey strain were among the champions, being, as a rule, quicker 
fighters. The Blacks and Henfeathers were a trifle slow, but could " keep it up," in which quality the Greys 
were slightly deficient. The Piles are of much later day production, being bred from the cross between the 
Black-Breasted Reds and Whites. We rarely ever saw one in the Pit, even in recent years. They are very 
handsome and attractive in appearance, but there is great difficulty in breeding them up to the Show Standard 
of colour, and many off-coloured birds are produced yearly, though within the past three or four years much 
improvement has taken place. That they are destined to become one of the most popular varieties for the 
Show pen we feel certain, as the contrast of colours is so striking. 
The Whites are a most beautiful variety, and among these we have seen some immense specimens. 
They, however, are inclined to be a trifle suft in feather and " soft " in the Pit, though we have seen Whites 
fight as well, and as long, as the best of them. The Cuckoos, again, are also soft in feather and " heart '' as 
a general rule. They were always uncertain birds in the Pit, though when one ivas a Game Foicl he could 
fight at a terrific pace. These are also inclined to develop too much feather. 
Last, but by no means least, are the Henfeathers, of which we have seen Partridges, Gingers, 
'Mealy-Greys, Duckwings, Blacks, AVhites, and Cuckoos, and also sub-varieties of these colours. These are 
highly esteemed as a table Fowl, their appearance being deceptive as to their actual weight, and as a cross for 
improving or producing ideal table Poultry are excelled by no other known variety. They are similar to the 
Blacks, in being stout and cobbily built, possessing enormous muscular development, and their flesh is, if 
anything, whiter and juicier than the rest of the tribe. For many years these have been highly esteemed for 
the Pit, and, though rather slow in flying, are wonderful in-fighters, and possess marvellous striking powers. 
The hens of this variety are somewhat difficult to discern from the hens belonging to the other colours ; but 
the difference is there, and is chiefly noticeable on the feathers of the cushion and back, which are more 
rounded, and mostly edged with a lighter shade than the ground colour (except in Blacks and Whites), and 
as a striking peculiarity, whereas the tails of the hens of other varieties are much smaller and shorter in 
proportion to the cocks to match, the hen to match the hen-feathered cock is generally adorned with a 
large tail, and the two top feathers showing a distinct downward curve to the end. 
We now note that at last the breeders of Australian Game are aware that they possess a breed of 
Fowls second to none for providing the class of Poultry suitable for export, either bred pure or crossed, the 
