Other Varieties of Polish. 
407 
success rewarded experiments made in the same direction by Mr. Tegetmeier ; but it is to be 
regretted that in neither case was the attempt persevered with. In Mr. Tegetmeier’s case we are 
informed the chief difficulty to be mastered was the fact, that though chickens were produced 
nearly or quite white in the body, at their next moult they became speckled all over. This 
difficulty, however, might probably have been overcome with a little patience and care. 
Black Polish are very rarely seen, and are probably related to the White, though which must 
be regarded as the parent stock is somewhat doubtful. These birds are generally, however, very 
small, which makes the origin we have supposed somewhat uncertain. 
Cuckoo Polish we have seen twice, but the colour does not look handsome or showy in this 
variety. As we have previously observed, there is no difficulty whatever in breeding this colour. 
Blue or Grey Polish resemble Andalusians in colour. They rarely breed true, and in our 
opinion occur from crossing White-crested Black with White, as their chickens are often either 
one of these colours or cuckoo in marking, as well as blue. I11 fact, the relation of both the 
Blue colour and the Cuckoo to White or Black at some period more or less remote, is one of the 
best ascertained facts in all poultry-breeding. The Blue Polish have also frequently white 
top-knots, which makes the parentage we have suggested still more probable. 
There was a variety of Polish — now we fear extinct — resembling in plumage the Silver- 
pencilled Hamburgh, but very robust in form, and with heavy crests and beards. The effect must 
have been very beautiful, and it would be worth while attempting to resuscitate this marking, which 
might possibly be done by crossing a heavily-marked Pencilled cock with a White Polish hen. 
Some other varieties of Polish have been seen on the Continent, but their fixity of character is 
very uncertain. It must, however, be granted that any marking which occurs in fowls is possible also in 
Polish, and the extensive prevalence of the crested type of bird all over the Continent makes it very 
likely that there are yet other varieties there which might be added to our yards. It is much to be 
wished that some of our great dealers would make diligent and systematic search in this direction, 
which might perhaps yet be rewarded by the recovery of the coveted Black-crested White breed. 
There are other recognised breeds which are distinctly of the Polish type. The Crevecceur is 
really nothing but a large Black Poland with a larger comb ; and the other French races are all 
beyond a doubt crossed with the same family, even the La Fleche having originally had a small crest. 
These breeds will, however, be best treated of in another chapter ; and Sultans, which also have 
affinities with the present race, have some other characteristics so distinct that we shall refer for 
them to the chapter on miscellaneous varieties. The Creve, however, is evidently a Polish fowl 
almost pure, and we have often been astonished that Polish breeders have not used it both to 
improve the size and deepen the lacing of the older races. Perhaps the most promising commence- 
ment towards recovering the grand size as well as colour of the old Black-crested White breed, 
might be a cross of the Black Creve cock mated with White Polish hens ; and a judicious cross of 
the Creve with the other varieties would speedily yield results of a very striking character, both as 
regards size and marking. 
The general qualities of Polish w'll have been already gathered. The bearded varieties appear 
fairly hardy ; and though individuals differ greatly, on the whole all the varieties must be pronounced 
excellent layers. The meat is most excellent ; being peculiarly juicy and tender. Polish have 
another great merit, they are perhaps of all breeds the best adapted to thrive and be happy in 
strict confinement — that is, if the sole run be a wired-in and covered shed. Provided such a shed be 
kept very dry in the floor and very clean, Polish will thrive and look well in it ; of course, supposing 
the necessities of diet be attended to. Lime rubbish mixed with sand or gravel makes an excellent 
bottom for them ; and if kindly treated they become almost immediately as tame as cats. We 
