221 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
editor, Mr. Tegetmeier, made some experiments on the cross breeding of Silkys 
with other varieties, the result of which may he worth recording, as the knowledge 
of them may prevent some annoyance to those keeping Silk fowls. He found that 
when they were crossed with other breeds, the chickens produced seldom had the 
silky feathers, hut were clothed in plumage of the ordinary character. In one 
case of a Silky hen running with a Spanish cock, of nine chickens hatched, eight 
were cockerels ; they all had dark plumage, with brassy hackles and saddles, and 
in one or two instances, spangled breasts. The single pullet was black. All the 
birds were characterized by a black skin and periosteum, and much of the cellular 
FEATHER OF SILKY COCHIN, 
tissue or structure separating the layers of muscles on the breast and legs, was 
also black, though the flesh itself w^as wdiite and very excellent eating. These 
fowls w^ere obviously identical 'with the Gallus Morio, or negro fowl, of Temminck. 
The pullet and one of the cocks were mated the following season, and the 
produce closely resembled the parents ; one of the chickens, however, was covered 
with feathers like those of the Silk fowl ; her plumage was black, and in form she 
partook more of the character of the Spanish than of the Silky breed. Subse- 
quently the cock was given away, and allow^ed to run with a number of common 
hens, but the result was not satisfactory, as the chickens hatched in the farm-yard 
were dark in the skin and bone, and regarded with disfavour by the purchasers. 
