The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
302 
Game ; ” but this arises simply from ignorance. If fighting be the criterion, no Game fowl 
will fight in a more hard and stubborn manner than the Henny, as evidenced by the report 
of a fight which disgraced the columns of the New York Weekly Herald in January, 1873, 
and by the constant experience of those who still fight birds in Cornwall ; whilst, if purity of 
blood and constantly breeding true to points be the arguments relied upon, the proof is equally 
clear, as the Henny strain never breeds a long-tailed cock unless crossed. The contrary has 
been stated by many persons, but the mistake has arisen from various birds which have not 
been true-bred Henny, but only the product of some cross, which will, of course, breed both kinds 
of plumage; but the true-bred Henny never does. 
On the whole, the probability is that the breed is descended from some very ancient 
progenitor, which accidentally exhibited the peculiar hen-plumage, and struck the fancy of its 
proprietor. In laced Bantams, which are known to have derived their hen-tailed character from a 
single cock which attracted Sir John Sebright’s preference (and which was very probably itself 
descended from hen-tailed Game), we see how apt the feature is to transmit itself with a little 
care ; and that our supposition is correct, and that the strain once formed was preserved sedulously 
apart, from a period now impossible to determine, is rendered further probable by the different 
colours and style of birds, which are very different from the standard breeds of Game. In style 
they are larger and heavier, occasionally reaching as much as nine pounds, and approaching the 
kind of bird formerly bred by cock-fighters much more than those now bred by fanciers. The 
most usual colour is perhaps Red, but not the “ standard ” Reds. There are also Blacks, Greys, 
and other colours, besides mixtures arising from crossing them. The Reds, and, in fact, most 
other colours of Hennies, have white or pinky-white legs, and, of course, white skins. These 
points, with their large size and hardiness, make them decidedly the best for table of any 
breed of Game ; their hardiness being also a recommendation to those who only wish fowls 
for table purposes but who share our own opinion that the Game fowl is the finest eating of 
all varieties of poultry. 
OLD ENGLISH GAME. — The persistent breeding for greater length of limb, and shorter 
and scantier feather, has very much modified favourable opinions of modern Game, as 
expressed by Mr. Douglas in 1872, and led to a very marked revolt It is not only that 
cock-fighters discard the modern bird : it is far inferior to the old model for the table, 
either pure or as a cross ; is generally a far worse layer ; and to other than a trained eye, 
is far more ugly. We have personally noticed, that the Game classes at a show are now 
quite neglected, compared with what they used to be, and remarks are common upon “ those 
ugly birds.” We do not wish, however, to disparage them or their admirers ; but simply 
have to chronicle that this state of things led to a strong reaction, and to the wide expression of 
wishes for the old model, which was supposed to be nearly extinct. It is probable that its 
preservation was really due to the cock-fighters ; at all events, the birds reappeared at first in 
localities connected with the pit, the first class for them being at a show at Clcator Moor, in 
Cumberland. Aspatria was the next show to give a class ; and in 1883, Wigton show gave the 
first of classes which have been annually increased since, and have made Wigton a sort of head- 
quarters of the breed. This may partly be owing to the fact, that at the other shows the 
usual judges officiated, whereas at Wigton a special judge has always been appointed. Most 
of the Northern shows now have classes for Old English Game, and in 1888, the revival was 
recognised by classes for them at Birmingham and Liverpool ; while in 1889 four classes were 
offered for them at the exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society. 
