496 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the pound. As table fowls they are fairly good. By many they are con- 

 sidered excellent. The only thing that can be said against them is that 

 they are small in size. Altogether, they are one of the most profitable 

 breeds of poultry that can be kept upon the farm, and the cheapness of 

 their keeping will allow the raising of two Leghorns for the cost of one 

 Asiatic. They must be warmly housed in winter to lay well and to pro- 

 tect their pendulous wattles from frostbite. 



In shape a Leghorn cock (fig. 17) should be graceful; body, round 

 and plump, broad at the shoulders, and tapering toward the tail. The 

 tail should be well balanced on a fair length of shank and thick, the 

 length of leg giving the bird its sprightly and proud carriage. Closeness 

 of feathering adds to the general shape and secures a freedom from 

 angles which always proclaims the pure bred, typical specimen. The 

 breast should be full, beautifully curved, rather prominent, and carried 

 well forward. Neck, long, well arched, and carried erect; back, of 

 medium length, with saddle rising in a sharp, concave sweep to the tail; 

 tail, large, full, carried upright; the full flowing tail, and long, well-curved 

 sickles are characteristics of the bird that are much thought of. The 

 wing is long, well folded, and tightly carried. Hackle and saddle 

 feathers, long and abundant and flowing well over the shoulder and 

 saddle. The legs are bright yellow and free from feathers; toes also 

 yellow, but a dark shade is allowable. The head is the prettiest por- 

 tion of the bird, being short and 



deep; yellow beak, full, bright red 

 eyes, and bright red face. The 

 comb is single, of medium size, 

 perfectly straight and upright 

 upon the head, free from side 

 sprigs, deeply serrated with five 

 or six points, and bright red. The 

 comb should extend well back over 

 the head, with no tendency to fol- 

 low the shape of the neck. Ear 

 lobes, white or creamy white. 



The Leghorn hen in many re- 

 spects resembles the cock, except- 

 ing carriage of comb and sexual 

 differences. In shape and carriage 

 the hen is even more graceful and 

 sprightly than the cock, very close, 

 in feather, and rather small in body, though somewhat long in back. 

 Her breast is full, very round, and carried high; legs fairly long, and 

 shanks thin; tail carried closely and well up. The general carriage 

 should be upright. Her comb is the marvel of her beauty; it is single 

 and falls gracefully to one side, but not in a limp manner, or so as to 



Fjg. 18. 



-Head of Single-comb Brown 

 Leghorn Cock. 



