104 Brahma-Pootras. 



The colour is entirely a matter of taste, Init the bottom 

 colour should always be grey. 



" After breeding Brahmas for many years," says Miss 

 Watts, '' through many generations and crosses (always, 

 however, keeping to families imported direct from America), 

 we are quite confirmed in the opinion that the pea-comb is 

 the comb for the Brahma ; and this seems now a settled 

 question, for single-combed ])irds never take prizes when 

 passable pea-combed birds are present. The leading 

 characteristic of the peculiar comb, named by the Americans 

 the pea-comb, is its triple character. ' It may be developed 

 and separated almost like three combs, or nearly united 

 into one ; but its triple form is always evident. What we 

 think most beautiful is, where the centre division is a little 

 fluted, slightly serrated, and flanked by two little side 

 combs. The degree of the division into three varies, and 

 the peculiarities of the comb may be less perceptible in 

 December than when the hens are laying ; but the triple 

 character of the pea-comb is always evident. It shows 

 itself in the chick at a few days old, in three tiny paralleled 

 lines." It is thick at the base, and like three combs joined 

 into one, the centre comb being higher than the other, but 

 the comb altogether must be low, rounded at the top, and 

 the indentations must not be deep. Whether single or 

 triple, all the combs in a pen should be uniform. 



The dark and light varieties should not be crossed, as, 

 according to Mr. Teebay, who was formerly the most 

 extensive and successful breeder of Brahmas in England, 

 the result is never satisfactory. 



