38 
CHAPTER VII. 
CAUTION. 
fe N conclusion, I would caution would-be purchasers from pur- 
ie chasing birds or eggs from any but the best breeders. There 
are several of them in England, and now, even in America 
who have good stock. This affects this breed more than any other, 
for when one knows from experience how great is the prepotency 
of this breed, and what birds akin to Indian game may be produced 
by turning down a strong Indian game cock among some barn-door 
fowls, such crossbreeds, though most useful birds in their way, may 
easily be traded on the unwary as pure-bred Indian game. One 
now sees a so-called White Indian game exhibited in our shows, 
but it will never find favour with our judges, and this bird is being 
passed off in America as a distinct variety of Indian game. Why ! 
What is it? It isa regular dunghill; can be produced anywhere, 
at no trouble or expense. I myself gave two Indian game cockerels 
to a gentleman who kept some white barn-door fowls, and the result 
was fully 30 per cent. of the so-called White Indian game. The 
same cress can easily be attained by any one having White Malays of 
Aseel. Where will it end? If one breeder will start White Indian 
game, another may start Black Indian game, another Buff Indian 
game, and so on through all the colours. If the value of the 
breed could be enhanced by so doing, by all means let it it be done, 
but the characteristic feature—the great beauty—of the Indian 
game female is the superb lacing, and there is little doubt that 
English breeders are not going to sacrifice this for self colours, and 
surely they are not worth the freight to foreign countries. Instead 
of perpetuating mongrels, let us all strive to breed ideal specimens 
of the true Indian game. 
