336 
Unclassed Varieties. 
Chapter XL. 
Anconas. — This is a very old breed, which of late years has been more or less neglected. 
They resemble Houdans somewhat in plumage, being mottled black and white, the general shape being similar 
to the Minorca. The comb is single, large, with from five to eight serrations ; the ear-lobe, creamy white, the 
wattles being long and pendent. The legs and feet in good specimens are a bright yellow, but many show a 
dusky shade over the yellow. They are, in fact, a sub-variety of the Spanish family, and, as a general rule, 
are non-sitters, though occasionally a hen will develop the instinct. The breed is of a very active, sprightly 
nature, and the hens, being excellent layers of large white eggs, rarely get too fat. The chickens are very 
hardy, and the cockerels precocious, maturing very early. Instances have been known in which cockerels 
crowed at five weeks of age, and pullets of this breed have laid at sixteen weeks. One advantage this 
breed possesses is that they may be relied upon to breed true to feather. The chickens hatch uniformly 
white and canary colour on breast and under-parts ; the top of the head black, with a distinct black stripe 
running right down the centre of the back. Both chickens and adults stand confinement exceedingly well, 
are of a quiet disposition, and, if given liberty, require but a small proportion of food, being good foragers. 
Their great economic claim is based on their laying capabilities, the eggs being of large size, and produced 
in great numbers, and it is a noted fact that much attention is now being paid them in Great Britain, and 
this is sure evidence that the claims made on their behalf are not without solid foundation. 
Bruges Game. — This breed is better known as the Belgian Fighting Fowl, and possesses some good 
qualities, being strongly recommended as an excellent variety for crossing with the La Fleche or Dorking. 
It is highly esteemed for its great fighting capabilities, considered by many competent to offer an opinion to 
be the best of all for the purpose — strength, size, agility, and great power of endurance, are some of the 
qualities possessed by Bruges Game. As a Table Fowl it also occupies a high position, carrying an 
abundance of white meat on a long and deep breast. The wings, neck, back, legs, and tail, are rather long, 
the body widest at shoulders, tapering towards the tail. They are of various colours, blues, reds, blue and 
red, blacks and whites ; but the colours mostly seen are blues, reds, and blacks, the blues being held in the 
highest esteem. The cock is remarkable for his strong powerful frame, not, however, as heavy looking as the 
Malay. The comb is triple, i.e., pea comb, the ear-lobes, wattles, and comb, being of a violet red colour. 
The head is strong, long, and deep; the eyes are red and sparkling; the beak is strong, of medium length, 
and well curved at the end, and of a dark horn colour. The neck is of fair length; the shoulders wide, 
prominent, and strong, and the wings clip the body tightly. The wings are long, and well furnished with 
wide and strong feathers ; the tail, long and strong, and is supplied with fine sickles and tail coverts, but is 
carried rather open ; thighs, very strong, of fair length, and exceptionally muscular. They are placed well 
forward on the body. The shanks and feet are dark leaden, or blue. The toes are very long, and well 
spread out ; the spurs strong, and set low down. The weight of the cock averages from 8^ to ii lbs. 
The hen presents the same characteristics as the cock, the comb, face, wattles, and ear-lobes, however, 
in her case being nearly black. The hen averages from 7 to 9 lbs. Bruges Game hens are fair layers of 
good-sized eggs, and will defend their broods against all enemies. The characteristic ground colour of the 
plumage is mostly blue or slaty. The hen is slaty blue from head to tail, with a thin black edge to the end 
of each feather in the body, the hackles being more distinctly marked with black. With the cock the 
hackles and shoulders are of a brilliant black, or of a very dark lustrous purplish-blue, somewhat similar to 
