Exhibiting Ha mb ur giis. 
39 * 
their saddles, while others were free from it. [This is a common fault in all cuckoo or Dominique 
varieties.] They were capital layers, and in my opinion a very pretty breed, but found no favour 
at the shows, and therefore have nearly died out. They bred very true to colour, indeed the cuckoo 
ts very easy to breed if you once get it on one side, and by a cross with some other variety the 
points might have been worked up well.” We are inclined to think a cuckoo-colour might meet 
with more favour now than formerly, some other varieties having made it rather more familiar and 
popular than in old times. 
Silver-pencilled Hamburghs were formerly termed Creoles or Creels in some localities (evidently 
from the mingling of black and white in the plumage) ; and an American poultry magazine published 
in 1873, gave a short description and engraving of a pair of birds under this name. In this case, 
however, the fowls were evidently bad or ill-bred Spangled Hamburghs — i.e., bred larger and coarser 
by the sacrifice of feather. Such birds, like the Redcaps, are often extraordinary layers. 
Mr. Serjeantson has already stated that Black Hamburghs will do well in runs of only 
moderate size, and we have also known Silver-spangles maintain their high qualities in small yards, 
provided they were on a dry soil and kept rigidly clean, which is absolutely essential to them under 
such circumstances. The other varieties are only adapted to a grass-run, and lose much of their 
prolificacy if penned up, being also then subject to roup and other diseases, though when at large 
the Spangles at least are tolerably hardy fowls. Their great merit of course is as layers, though 
the meat is excellent so far as it goes. As a layer and table fowl combined the Redcap is probably 
one of the most profitable that can possibly be, though it lacks those charms of beauty which 
render the other varieties so attractive. Crossing is not to be recommended in these breeds; but if 
resorted to, the best is that between a Silver-spangled cock and a Light Brahma hen, which often 
produces spangled fowls of considerable size and very great beauty. We have sometimes thought 
a large and handsome spangled fowl might in this way be produced and perpetuated. Chickens of 
this cross are excellent layers. 
Hamburghs require very little to prepare them for exhibition, neither looking well when 
fattened, nor submitting to the process. They need nothing more than to be in brilliant condition 
as regards plumage and ear-lobes. Confinement under cover will make a great deal of difference 
to the ear-lobes of the cock, which become rough and tinged if exposed ; and is almost necessary 
if old cocks are to be shown, as the deaf-ears of old birds left at large generally become rough and 
coarse. The pens should not be less than six or eight feet square, and of ample height, so that the 
birds may be able to fly up to the perch for exercise. Darkness is not intended, but only to screen 
them from the wind and sun, which will rapidly improve their appearance ; and all cocks, 
Mr. Beldon says, should be thus put up for about a fortnight, to get them to look bright, as well 
as used to the pens. The hens should not be put up, as they cannot stand it, but go back in 
condition ; but those which are to be shown should always run together first, and be first tried in a 
pen to see if they agree. Hamburghs are not generally a pugnacious breed ; but it is a singular 
fact that of the many cases of injury from fighting during exhibition, and particularly of one hen 
or pullet being scalped by the other, more have been observed by us in the Hamburgh classes than 
any others ; though it must be remembered that Malays and Game are rarely now shown in pairs 
at all. 
We may remark that the purest strains of Hamburghs will occasionally produce birds with 
single combs, particularly if the smallest and best combs be bred from. This is evidently a case of 
reversion to the type of some ancient progenitor of the family, and is no proof whatever of a cross 
in the strain. Such birds will generally breed the proper type of comb ; but, for obvious reasons, 
they should not be bred from, or the tendency will of course increase. 
