374 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry . 
pullet. What precise meaning attaches to this soubriquet I never inquired, though it is evidently 
connected somehow with the old man’s triumphs at these shows where only hens and pullets were 
shown ; but he always takes it in good part. The old fellow is a rare breeder still ; but the 
Hamburghs — Gold and Silver — are the only varieties he cares about, and I much doubt if he 
could tell even the names of many other fowls. Another fine old fancier and breeder is old 
Nathan Marlor ; and I must say that breeders and fanciers of both the Spangled varieties are 
much indebted to these two men, who have been greatly instrumental in bringing the Mooney to 
such a state of excellence. 
“ Both the breeds thus described being in existence at the early time we have been speaking 
of, the Lancashire Mooney hens were first shown with the Yorkshire hen-feathered cocks; but 
when the judges began to set their faces against the hen-feathered birds (and their reign was very 
short), the Yorkshire Pheasant’s career, as an exhibition bird, was over. After that the cocks 
shown with the Mooney hens were of the full-feathered Yorkshire breed ; but neither variety then 
possessed the points of excellence required by the judges. The Yorkshire Pheasant was too dull 
in ground-colour and not distinct enough in the Spangling ; while the Mooneys, especially the 
cocks, had black breasts and red ear-lobes, and if anything (especially in a room) were almost too 
deep and rich in the ground-colour. The necessary change began first with the cocks. As the 
Yorkshire birds were found to be too dull in colour, and it was out of the question exhibiting 
Mooney cocks, the Yorkshire cock was put to the Mooney hens, and thus by careful and judicious 
crossing a bird was produced having somewhat of the richness in plumage of the Mooney, at the 
same time retaining the spangled breast and whitish ear-lobes of the Pheasant. These were the 
cocks for some time shown with Mooney hens. After a time, however, as the competition became 
keener, and richness of plumage became one of the chief points requisite to success, a little more 
of the Mooney blood was introduced ; and at the present day we possess cocks which leave little 
to be desired either in that point or in ear-lobes, which have been by careful breeding brought to a 
perfection neither breed originally had. The hens also were operated upon, the red ears of the 
pure Mooney being found an eyesore. To remedy this a dash of the Yorkshire Pheasant blood 
was introduced, which also had the good effect of giving a very slightly lighter tint to the ground- 
colour ; and now, by this crossing and judicious selection, we possess a breed of hens also that 
combine all the richness of the Mooney with a slightly lighter ground-colour and the desired white 
ear-lobe. Both sexes thus containing some mixture of blood, are gradually approximating ; and 
though I am bound to confess that the most successful breeders still use two pens to breed from, 
the distinction will gradually lessen, and we are rapidly approaching in this variety also to a strain 
which will breed both sexes without more difference than all varieties usually exhibit in point 
of excellence. 
“As in the preceding variety, breeding from the pure Yorkshire Pheasant is now almost dis- 
carded. For breeding pullets I advise the beginner to get the very best hens from an exhibition 
point of view that he can lay his hands upon ; there is not much need to inquire about the strain, 
as in a hen this will speak for itself. Then let him get a cock from some good breeder out of a well- 
known pullet strain, and if possible of the very same strain as the hens or pullets he is breeding 
from ; for I always find that birds bred akin produce by far the most perfect specimens. Then if 
you find these birds produce first-class chickens, keep them together and breed trom them as long 
as ever you can, and do not on any account attempt to improve them by a cross, or you may 
improve them the wrong way. If the produce is not satisfactory, try again ; but this simple 
method of selection will rarely fail, and is about the only one which can be given at the present day. 
“ For cockerels pursue a similar plan. Get the very best exhibition cock you can procure, 
