150 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
secondary wing feathers should he black, and the inner webb of the lower covert 
feathers should be barred with black. These I consider as the outward signs of a 
Pencilled cock being likely to produce good, w^ell-marked hens. I do not pretend 
that it is an infallible rule — exceptions may occur ; nevertheless, my experience 
shows that a cock with good depth of under-colour will, as a general rule produce 
much handsomer pullets, and in much greater abundance, than a light one with a 
light silver tail or white pinion feathers — a point which is too often disregarded by 
our judges and breeders of this truly beautiful and useful variety.” 
With regard to the effects of crossing the two Pencilled varieties, Mr. Brent 
states, — ‘‘ A Golden-pencilled cock coupled with a Silver-pencilled hen, I have 
always noticed to produce Golden-pencilled pullets, and Silver cockerels with a 
chestnut wung patch.” 
Pencilled Hamburghs of both varieties are scarcely to be surpassed in beauty by 
any of the other denizens of the poultry yard : the slight compact form of the 
hens ; their sprightly, active, cheerful carriage ; and the contrast of their ample 
scarlet combs and well-defined white ear-lobes, with their neatly barred plumage, 
render them exceedingly ornamental. Nor are they behind in profitable character- 
istics ; for being of roving habits, they range well, and provide themselves with a 
considerable portion of food ; in fact, in many situations, their powers of flight are 
so much exercised as to lead them to be an annoyance to neighbouring residents. 
But this, again, is not without its own special utility, for it renders their abstraction 
by any pilfering thief an act of very considerable difficulty; and if disturbed at 
night, they commence and continue such an outcry as can scarcely fail in arousing 
the sleeping vigilance of their owner. 
As layers. Pencilled Hamburghs, as may be judged from their synonym of Dutch 
Everlasting Layers, rank very high, although, as may be imagined from the size of 
the hens, the eggs are rather small. They are non- sitters ; not one in many 
hundred ever indicating the slightest desire to hatch. For the following excellent 
resume of their economical merits, we are again under obligations to Mr. Edward 
Hewitt, who states : — The Hamburghs are excellent layers, provided they have 
free liberty on an unrestricted grass-run ; they are most impatient of confinement, 
particularly the Pencilled varieties, and very susceptible of disease wherever over- 
population and limited space are unfortunately combined. They shift for them- 
selves better than any, excepting the Game, and are not, therefore, expensive as to 
keeping ; indeed, I believe (in comparison to the food consumed) none produce so 
large an amount of eggs, taking the whole year from end to end, whether we 
estimate by weight in the aggregate, or by numbers ; their chief production, how- 
ever, is during the milder months. The flesh of Hamburghs is very superior ; and 
they are always, as chickens, in fit condition for the spit, if only tolerably well fed, 
without any additional preparation. Being a small-boned fowl, they proved, when 
carved, to be much more fleshy than might be imagined at first- sight. 
They generally roost high, and in places difficult of access, if any possible 
chance of so doing presents itself ; combined with this, if disturbed during night- 
