DORKINGS. 
The Dorkings are among the oldest breeds of domestic fowl in ex- 
istence. The male is large, with a broad, low-set body that is rectangular 
in shape, as viewed from the side, possessing a long, deep keel and short 
legs, which give the bird a solid and compact appearance. The female 
closely resembles the male, except in feathering, though not as large in 
size and being a trifle shorter in legs, with a lower-set keel. The skin and 
flesh of the Dorkings are white. They differ from most other breeds in 
having five toes. (See Fig. 35.) 
SHAPE OF MALE. 
Head: Rather large. 
Beak: Of medium length, stout, well curved. 
Eyes: Prominent. 
Comb: Silver-Gray and Colored Dorkings, single, rather large, 
straight and upright; evenly serrated, having six well-defined points, the 
front and rear points shorter than the other four. White Dorkings, rose, 
square in front, firm and even on head, terminating in a well-defined spike; 
top, comparatively flat and covered with small, rounded points. 
Wattles and Ear-Lobes: Wattles, rather large, well rounded at 
lower end. Ear-lobes, of medium size, about one-half the length of 
wattles. 
Neck: Rather short, arched; hackle, full and abundant, flowing well 
over shoulders, making it appear very broad, tapering to head. 
Wings : Large, well folded against body, not drooping. 
Back: Broad, long, straight, declining to tail; saddle feathers, abun- 
dant. 
Tail: Large, full, somewhat expanded, carried at an angle of forty 
degrees from the horizontal; sickles and coverts, abundant, well curved. 
Breast: Broad, deep, full, well rounded, carried forward. 
Body and Fluff: Body, long, broad, deep, keel long. Fluff, smooth 
in surface, moderately developed. 
Legs and Toes: Thighs, large, short, well meated, set well apart: 
shanks, short, stout, round in bone. Toes, five upon each foot, front and 
fifth toes moderately long and smooth; fifth toe well separated from the 
fourth and directly above it, rising on a slight incline from base to point. 
Shanks below hock, and toes free from feathers and down. 
164 
