Old English Game Fowls. 
303 
The illustration will show at a glance the broad distinctions between this old English 
model, and the modern exhibition Game shown in our other plates. It is drawn from a 
white-legged black-red cock, which has won several prizes, lent for the purpose by Mr. J. 
W. Simpson, to whom we are also indebted for the historical material of these notes. The 
legs are shorter and stouter, the body more massive, the neck stronger, and the feathering 
more full and flowing — the bird is, in fact, a contrast at nearly all points. Of comparative 
beauty each must judge for himself, but there is no question as to which is the better 
table fowl, layer, and sitter. 
The old Game fowl is also 
the hardier bird. It should be 
noted that these points of differ- 
ence are most accented in the 
northern birds, and that in the 
south of England many are 
shorter in feather, not having 
such long wings and tail, and 
being less different from the 
modern Game. 
The revival of this old type 
of bird has been attended by 
many difficulties. Those who 
had fowls were unwilling to 
part with them, and it was very 
difficult to get either birds or 
eggs. The demand, however, 
has gradually induced breeders 
to meet it, and it is still in- 
creasing. Mr. Simpson thinks 
that at the date of this there arc 
fully ten times as many of these 
fowls in Cumberland alone, 
as could have been found only 
two years before ; and there can be no doubt that size and quality will soon show an improve- 
ment — a real improvement we mean, and not in the direction of the modern Game. For the 
pit breeders ignored all but courage and stamina ; and as birds over middle weight could 
hardly get “ matched,” they actually bred from the smaller ones, to keep down the size. 
There is no reason why people with better objects should do this, and hence the size will 
almost certainly increase, unless actually checked by the judges. 
On July 9, 1887, the Old English Game Fowl Club was formed, to encourage this noble 
breed of fowl, the secretary being Mr. J. W. Simpson, Abbey Town, Silloth, Cumberland. We 
give in our schedules the description as regards form, and the table of points agreed upon ; 
only remarking that the “ lay-back ” is a crest, often extending back in the cock, but standing 
up (the difference is omitted in the Club’s schedule) in the hen, and in some also of the male 
birds. This was called a “ tassel ” in old times. There are the usual colours, with some little 
variation, and generally with more latitude in the legs, which in a black-red may be white, 
yellow, or willow. As a table-fowl the white-legged is one of the best varieties, but is rather 
Old English Black-Red Game Cock. 
