290 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
“ Black-reds being the purest-feathered of the Reds, I have given them the preference in 
describing them ; and by following out my advice I really think any one can breed and be 
successful in the show-pen.” 
[Generally speaking, and unless for very special reasons, the No. 3 dark cocks described by 
Mr. Douglas are not now worth breeding from, competition being more severe, and superior 
results being obtainable from Nos. 1 and 2. — W. F. E.] 
“ BROWN-BREASTED RED GAME. — The same description of style and symmetiy as 
the Black-reds will do for all Game, including Brown-breasted Red Game. There are several 
colours admissible for the show-pen, but I will begin with those at present most fashionable. 
In the streaky or starling-breasted cock, the head and hackle-feathers are deep orange-red, with 
a shade of dark in centre of feather; shoulder-coverts dark crimson; saddle a red maroon on 
centre, passing to a dark lemon and straw ; breast dark, with a bay streak in centre of every 
feather running of on the thighs, which are also streaked with bay ; tail black, sickles narrow and 
whip-like, and bronzed with a greenish gloss. Some like a dark smutty face, instead of the beautiful 
red-purple skin. Large brown or black eyes are necessary to this breed. In Brown-reds a little 
heavier build does not detract from the beauty of the bird, so more laxity may be taken in this 
Fig. 70. 
colour than the Black-red ; but the same rule as to style applies here as to Black-reds. The Brown- 
reds have a hardness of feather that few strains of the Black-reds possess. I have said that the 
colour of the face is a matter of taste ; but it is a certain fact that since the dark or gipsy faces 
predominated we have lost the beautiful bright colours in Brown-reds we used to have. 
“The colour of hen to match the streaky-breasted cock in the Brown-reds is as follows : — Head 
dusky brown ; comb and face bright purple-red or smutty, according to taste ; eyes black or dark 
brown ; neck brassy, striped with black ; the legs dark or willow ; body-feathers dark brown — 
or even in a dark hen almost black, with brassy hackle, would answer for the show-pen. 
“This is the most fashionable colour ; let us now see what they will breed. Some will come as 
near like the parents as possible in cockerels ; others will come black-breasted, and too dark 
in hackles ; others will be nearly crow-black, with only a dirty dark red on shoulder and back. 
Some pullets will come a nice colour, but some nearly brown ; and others nearly black, without the 
brassy hackle, but only a slight tinge of copper in the hackle. In Brown-reds it is very difficult to 
get above one or two in a brood fit for the show-pen, or even fit to breed from the following 
season ; in fact, nothing we get in the Game line bleeds so tiue to coloui as the Black-icd, which is 
easiest to breed of all the varieties. 
“Another very fashionable colour in Brown-reds, as frequently shown, and by many thought 
even more beautiful than the starling-breasted, is as follows. Head and hackle oiange-colour 
throughout, with little no streak in the feathers ; shoulder-coverts a shade lighter crimson than 
the streaky-breasted birds; saddle to match the hackle, or dark lemon, back a maioon stiaw> 
and breast an almost black ground-colour, but every feather beautifully laced with light bay — a 
mere slight lacing round the edges, not at all running into the feather. The hens to match these 
