August 15, 1978

Dear Bill:

Many thanks for your good letter. I was particularly interested in your thoughts on making Brahma Bantams and in your experiment with Columbian Cochins (Pekins) by the Light Sussex-Black Cochin cross. I can see where the resultant progeny might well conform more to the Brahma than to the Cochin type, particularly in view of the fact that the Light Brahma was almost certainly used in making the Light Sussex, as, indeed, I believe it to have been responsible for all of the Columbian varieties in the various breeds. In the same manner I believe the Silver-Pencilled varieties all came from an original Dark Brahma cross.

As you say, your best bet to breed in the pea comb would seem to be by use of the Indian Game (we call them Cornish here) even though a hard-feather breed is not desirable for such a cross. I presume you have White Indian Games in Australia since both the Darks and Jubilees would bring in the red factor which would be dangerous. I have been wondering if you have any pea-combed games, either O.E. or Australian, in the Silver-Duckwing variety and whether, if so, that might be a quicker way than by using Indians. The O. E. at least would not have the whip tail.

As to the origin of the Asiatics (if other than Gallus Bankiva) we can always fall back on Temminck’s theory. I am sure I have mentioned him to you before. An 18th century Dutch naturalist, he was a proponent of the theory that the Asiatics (including the Malays and their offshoots, Shamos, Tuzos, etc and the Asils) stemmed from a different root. He attributed their ancestry to what he called Gallus giganteus, a very large land bird incapable of flight.

He cited a number of physiological differences skull formation, shorter intestine etc. as a basis for his theory. I understand there have been absolutely no fossil remains or other concrete evidence to back this belief; however, the circumstantial evidence is strong. You have a copy of Tegetmeier’s Book of Poultry, he goes into this question at some length. I believe the more popular opinion is in favor of Darwin’s theory that the Jungle Fowl is the single ancestor of all domestic chickens, although, again, many feel that the Gray, as well as the Red Jungle Fowl is a factor.

Again, many thanks for your treatise. I would love to have a copy of your final revision. I have never read much on the subject and what little information I had was to the effect that the Pekin Bantam had been developed in the Royal Gardens at least several hundred years ago; that a few had been brought to England and, through inbreeding and judicious crossing with Nankeen had been brought to their present state of perfection.

I know nothing about the Nankeen and have never, so far as I know, seen one. My understanding is that they are a rather over-sized very dark buff or cinnamon Bantam, single-combed and either clean legs or very sparse feathering. I also understood that they were present in the make up of several different Bantam varieties and that they (the Nankeens) had been known and kept, at least in Great Britain, for a long, long time. It is always good to hear from you and please let me know if I can be of any help whatever.

Sincerely,