3 22 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
presently described, and is also like it in the breast-feathers being usually free from black or grey 
at the tips ; in fact, it is evidently from this class of birds the Silver-greys have been derived. 
These hens are very handsome in colour ; but as a rule are not equal to either of the preceding 
in either real or apparent size, and being thus unable to win except unusually large, have gone 
out of fashion ; a fancy we own to personally for this feather being also not shared generall) 
by breeders and judges. It is in fact too near the Silver-grey to be favoured by breeders of what 
is always understood to be the darker variety of the two. 
The still lighter uniform grey speckle from which the old Grey Dorking undoubtedly took 
its name is never now seen in show-birds ; or if it is, only to be beaten hopelessly by the 
superior weight and size of the darker usurpers. About the country, however, it is still 
occasionally met with ; and many experienced housekeepers have expressed to us a most decided 
opinion that while it cannot be compared as regards size with the modern bird, it is more delicate 
and juicy in flesh. 
Coloured Dorkings do well on any dry soil, especially if the aspect of their run be somewhat 
warm ; but they are very rarely good layers. As sitters they are perhaps the best of all fowls, 
going long with their chickens, and brooding them more than either of the Asiatic races. It 
is, however, as a table fowl, or when birds are chiefly required for market, that this breed shows 
to advantage — on that ground it will beat all others. It “makes its weight” early— a very 
great advantage ; and has a natural aptitude for getting and keeping fat — the fruit of long and 
sedulous breeding for that object — which scarcely even the French breeds possess. Chalk or 
gravel runs suit the breed best ; and upon such a soil, if not hatched too early, there is no 
difficulty whatever in rearing them, if proper care be given to cleanliness and the ground be 
not overstocked. These precautions they require, being more subject than most fowls to 
roup, gapes, and other diseases which have any connection with foul ground. 
It is worthy of note, that when brought up under more natural circumstances, the Dorking 
appears to become at least moderately hardy. At Linton Park, Mr. Martin had yards enough 
at his command; but at a visit we paid (we think in 1866) we found the whole of Lady 
Holmesdale’s far-famed stock at perfect liberty in the park. A number of portable wooden 
houses mounted on wheels were provided, and dotted about on the extensive sward at distances 
sufficient to avoid any danger of the different families mixing, the more so as they were hidden 
one from the other by intervening trees. These houses were moved a little every two or three days, 
to avoid any necessity for cleaning; and open windows were provided at each end, whicn were only 
covered by a coarse linen curtain in the very severest weather. Under this treatment, as we 
remarked in Chapter I., the fowls gradually improved most wonderfully in constitution ; and we did 
not observe even a single old bird but what exhibited the close, “glued-down” appearance 
just now described, and which can never be attained but with the most perfect health and 
condition. They fairly shone like the richest velvet; and while the very closeness of feather 
prevented their looking so large as far inferior specimens which we have seen, the real weight of a 
few we picked up (and it amused us to find them almost as tame as pet cats) was enormous. 
These birds always showed well, going to show after show with little apparent injury, on account 
of the splendid constitution with which they began. Such results point to the conclusion that 
were the Dorking thus bred and reared, on a good drained grass-range, to a greater extent, it 
might probably be transformed into a hardy breed. 
Mr. Martin’s experience of interbreeding with Dorkings does not appear to have been different 
from that of other fanciers with more vigorous stocks ; but we must admit that in the case of this 
variety we should be far more anxious to obtain occasional “fresh blood” than with other breeds; 
