The game fowl is one of the most gracefully formed and
beautifully colored of any of our domestic breeds of poultry;
and in its form, aspect, and that extrr.rrdinary courage which
characterizes its natural dispositic n, exhibits all that either the
naturalist or the sportsman would at once recognize as the
purest type of high blood, embodying, in short, all the most
indubitable characteristics of gallinaceous aristocracy.
The flesh is beautifully white, as well as tender and delicat^.
266 POULTRY.
The hens are excellenl layers, and, although the eggs are under
the average size, they are not to be surpassed in excellence of
flavor. Such being the character of this variety of fowl, it
would doubtless be much more extensively cultivated than it is,
were it not for the difficulty atteixding the rearing of the young;
their pugnacity being such that a brood is scarcely feathered
before at least one-half are killed or blinded by fighting.
With proper care, however, most of the difficulties to be
apprehended may be avoided. It is exceedingly desirable to
perpetuate the race, for uses the most important and valuable.
As a cross with other breeds, they are invaluable in improving
the flavor of the flesh, which is an invariable consequence. The
plumage of all fowl related to them is increased in brilliancy;
and they are, moreover, very prolific, and eggs are always
enriched.
The Wild Indian Game. — This variety was originally
imported into this country from Calcutta. The hen has a long
neck, like a wild goose; neither comb nor wattles; of a dark,
glossy green color; very short or fan tail; lofty in carriage,
trim built, and wild in general appearance; legs very large and
long, spotted with blue; ordinary weight from four and a half
to six pounds. As a layer, she is equal to any other fowls of
the game variety.
The cock stands as high as a large turkey, and weighs nine
^pounds and upward; the plumage is of a reddish cast, inter-
spersed with spots of glossy green; comb very small; no wat-
tles; and bill unli':? any other foul, except the hen.
The Spanish Game. — This variety is called the English
fowl by some writers. It is more slender in the body, the
neck, the bill, and the legs, than *the other varieties, and the
colors, particularly of the cock, are very bright and showy.
The flesh is white, tender and delicate, and on this account
marketable; the eggs are small and extremely delicate. . The
plumage is very beautiful — a clear, dark red, very bright,
extending from the back to the extremities, while the breast is
beautifully black. The upper convex side of the wing is equally
red and black, and the whole of the tail-feathers white. The
beak and legs are black; the eyes resemble jet bead.i, very fu'.l
1
POULTRY. 257
and brilliant; and the whole contour of the head gives a most
ferocious expression.
The Spangled Hamburgh. — The Spangled Hamburgh fowl
are divided into two varieties, the distinctive characteristics
being slight, almost dependent upon color; these varieties are
termed the Gold and Silver Spangled.
Page 178
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The game fowl is one of the most gracefully formed and beautifully colored of any of our domestic breeds of poultry; and in its form, aspect, and that extraordinary courage which characterizes its natural dispositic n, exhibits all that either the naturalist or the sportsman would at once recognize as the purest type of high blood, embodying, in short, all the most indubitable characteristics of gallinaceous aristocracy.
The flesh is beautifully white, as well as tender and delicate.
The hens are excellent layers, and, although the eggs are under the average size, they are not to be surpassed in excellence of flavor. Such being the character of this variety of fowl, it would doubtless be much more extensively cultivated than it is, were it not for the difficulty attending the rearing of the young; their pugnacity being such that a brood is scarcely feathered before at least one-half are killed or blinded by fighting.
With proper care, however, most of the difficulties to be apprehended may be avoided. It is exceedingly desirable to perpetuate the race, for uses the most important and valuable. As a cross with other breeds, they are invaluable in improving the flavor of the flesh, which is an invariable consequence. The plumage of all fowl related to them is increased in brilliancy; and they are, moreover, very prolific, and eggs are always enriched.
The Wild Indian Game. — This variety was originally imported into this country from Calcutta. The hen has a long neck, like a wild goose; neither comb nor wattles; of a dark, glossy green color; very short or fan tail; lofty in carriage, trim built, and wild in general appearance; legs very large and long, spotted with blue; ordinary weight from four and a half to six pounds. As a layer, she is equal to any other fowls of the game variety.
The cock stands as high as a large turkey, and weighs nine ^pounds and upward; the plumage is of a reddish cast, interspersed with spots of glossy green; comb very small; no wattles; and bill unlike any other foul, except the hen.
The Spanish Game. — This variety is called the English fowl by some writers. It is more slender in the body, the neck, the bill, and the legs, than *the other varieties, and the colors, particularly of the cock, are very bright and showy. The flesh is white, tender and delicate, and on this account marketable; the eggs are small and extremely delicate. . The plumage is very beautiful — a clear, dark red, very bright, extending from the back to the extremities, while the breast is beautifully black. The upper convex side of the wing is equally red and black, and the whole of the tail-feathers white. The beak and legs are black; the eyes resemble jet beads, very full
and brilliant; and the whole contour of the head gives a most ferocious expression.
The Spangled Hamburgh. — The Spangled Hamburgh fowl are divided into two varieties, the distinctive characteristics being slight, almost dependent upon color; these varieties are termed the Gold and Silver Spangled.