268 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
pure-bred birds winning first prize in the Table Poultry section at the late Bathurst (N.S.W.) Show, the 
exhibits being Judged by the Government Poultry Expert^ Mr. Geo. Bradshaw, who stated they were 
excellent for the purpose., possessing long breasts, with great depth, carrying a wealth of meat rarely 
seen on any other variety, and of the mnch-desircd white or pale primrose colour. For a long time we 
have wondered why the Cornish-Indian Game Fowl has been "boomed" to such an extent as the Table 
Fowl of superlative merit, either pure or crossed with other varieties; while the merits of the short-legged, 
large-bodied, hardy-constitutioned, full-fleshed Australian Game Fowl have been entirely overlooked, the 
latter breed possessing these highly important, excellent, and much-desired features in any breed for 
producing high-class table Poultry, the whole of these prime considerations being among us always, without 
any attempt at artificial cultivation whatever, which could again, with little difficulty (as the breed is 
thoroughly acclimatised), be improved to a still greater extent. 
At the same time, however, we wish it clearly understood that the majority of the specimens shown at 
our leading Poultry Shows as Australian Game are by no means ideal birds for crossing to produce table 
Poultry (though the winning Black-Red cock, which secured the Greville Challenge Cup for Australian 
r 
[From a Photograph). 
Mr. W. Heron's Australian Duckwing Game Cock. 
Game at the late N.S.W. P. P. C. and D. Show, '97, was certainly an exception*), the craze for reach, length 
of neck, thighs, and shanks placing them quite out of the question for this purpose ; but as the Blacks and 
Henfeathers have not as yet been improved out of all recognition, these are the class of birds to which 
our remarks refer. 
Outside of the varieties mentioned, there is quite another breed of Poultry, called " Colonial Game." 
These birds are vastly different to the varieties recognised in the Show pen. In general build and feather 
they more closely resemble the old-fashioned stamp of British Game, the majority possessing single combs, 
though, again, they are larger bodied, stronger in bone, and coarser about the head. Among the cockers 
they are bred solely for Pit purposes, and as Ga}ne Fozvls are highly esteemed. No fixed rules as to colour 
points are recognised. In the eyes of their admirers a good one could not be a bad colour, no attention 
• Thia cock won first prize for the heaviest bird in the Show, scaling 12 lbs., competing against all varieties, 
4 
