84 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
The distinguishing colours of the Silver Grey Dorking cock are, perfectly black 
breast, tail, and larger tail coverts ; the head, neck, hackle, hack, saddle, and 
wing bow a clear silvery white. Across the wings there should be a well-marked 
black bar, contrasting in a very striking and beautiful manner with the white 
outer web of the quill-feathers and the silvery white hackle and saddle. 
In the hens of this beautiful variety the breast is salmon-red, passing into grey 
towards the thighs. The neck is silvery white, striped with black ; the back 
silvery grey, with the white of the shafts of the feathers distinctly marked. The 
wings should also be of a silvery or slaty grey, and as free as possible from any 
tendency to redness. The tail should be dark grey, the inside being very nearly 
black. 
Having given the general description of the two chief varieties of the Dorking fowl, 
in accordance with the dicta laid down in that recognized authority, the “ Standard 
of Excellence,” we now pass on to the consideration of the general manage- 
ment and profitable characteristics of the breed. On these points we have again 
to express our obligations to Mr. Hewitt, who has furnished the following 
valuable remarks : — 
There is not a doubt that coloured Dorkings are decidedly the most useful of 
all fowls for general table purposes ; as not only is the flesh of extremely good 
quality, but it is produced in far greater abundance than in most varieties. Another 
very important point in the consideration of the Grey Dorkings is, that the greater 
proportion of the flesh will be found on those particular parts most generally 
esteemed — viz. the breast, wings, and merrythoughts ; hence they carve to 
especial advantage. They also grow rapidly, and are in good condition at almost 
any age, if at all freely supplied with food. As layers, many other fowls are better 
than Dorkings ; they do not thrive well without a good and extensive grass-run. 
The chicks are delicate youngsters to rear, particularly if the subsoil is not remark- 
ably dry and warm : this will at once account for their unvarying success on 
chalky soil. In consequence of their great weight, they frequently, when aged, 
become quite lame and distorted in the feet and toes, from injuries producing 
eventually corns and even abscesses : these are most difficult to cure, if of long 
standing ; but as a preventive, low perches are absolutely essential : they should 
never exceed two or three feet from the ground. Dorkings degenerate most rapidly 
in size and character from interbreeding ; and from this cause, fresh blood should 
be frequently introduced, or the most speedy and vexatious disappointments will 
certainly ensue. 
“ In the selection of birds for showing, pains should be taken to ensure uniformity 
of colour throughout the pen ; and monstrosities of conformation in the legs or feet 
must be scrupulously avoided. As these are frequent in otherwise good Dorking 
fowls, I will briefly point out a few I have met with. I have seen a pen faultless in 
other respects, in which a cock was placed with three hind toes on each foot ; on 
another occasion, a male with the spurs growing directly outside the legs ; whilst in 
a third I have known competing at various public exhibitions, the two back toes 
