THE BOOK OF POULTRY. 



the classic shows for the Cuckoo, and they are 

 in the hands of many well known and 

 prominent exhibitors, but I confess that my 

 aim was not so much to make them an ex- 

 hibition bird, as one possessing high-class 

 utility qualities, combining a big, deep body 

 on low legs, with prolific winter laying ; and 

 these merits are in themselves sufficient to 

 make the variety popular. In appearance the 

 'Cuckoos ' are somewhat similar to die barred 

 Rock, without the objectionable long, yellow 

 leg, which has given place to a short, perfectly 

 white leg. The flesh and skin are pure white, 

 the back is short and very broad ; in fact, the 

 Cuckoo is the blocky type so prominent in all 

 the Orpingtons. They are e.xtremely hardy, 

 and lay a very large, rich brown egg. 



" Single mating only is required, so that 

 even the purchase of a small pen is sufficient to 

 build up a good foundation stock of a general, 

 all-round useful and handsome fowl. The 

 colour is a light, bluish-grey ground, having 

 bars across the feathers of a darker blue-black, 

 proportioned to the size of the feather and the 

 same on all parts of the body. The beak, legs 

 and feet are pure white ; lobes red ; comb 

 small, firm and evenly serrated. 



" Defects to be avoided are white in lobe, 

 any yellow in legs and feet, long legs, stubs 

 or feathers on leg, side spikes, and more than 

 four toes." 



" Quite the newest of the Orpington family 

 is the ' Blue,' which I introduced just as 1907 

 was drawing to a close ; and I do not remem- 

 ber any variety that caused such 

 a sensation. Fanciers recognised 

 in it a breed that would make 

 tremendous headway, and the demand far 

 exceeded both supply and anticipations. 

 ' Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,' 

 and though 'Blue' birds of a different shade 

 and shape have been exhibited, the 'original' 

 Blue stood its ground, and for colour and type 

 has now set the standard to the whole world. 

 A true Orpington in build, with wide chest, 

 broad back, small head and tail, low, wide-set 

 legs, they resemble the Black Orpington more 

 than any other fowl. As a layer the Blue is 

 second to none. It is extremely vigorous and 

 hardy, thrives well in any climate, and in ap- 

 pearance and colour is both pleasing and 

 striking. 



In their production Blues have certainly 

 proved the most difficult variety to produce 

 that I have as yet experienced, for the Blue 

 colour is extremely hard to fix. Nothing but 

 pure Orpington blood was used in their pro- 

 duction, and these consisted of the White, 



Blue 

 Orpingtons. 



Cuckoo, Spangled and Black varieties, crossed 

 and recrossed, and marked success, as admitted 

 by the oldest and keenest breeders, has been 

 achieved. 



" The colour in cocks is of a dark 

 blue top colour, with a somewhat lighter 

 blue breast and fluff, laced with an outer 

 edging of a darker blue shade. In hens 

 the chief ground colour is of a medium 

 blue, each feather laced with a darker blue 

 on the outside edges. The eye, legs and feet 

 are black, ear-lobe red, comb and wattles 

 small. Weight in cocks 10 lb., hens g lb. 



" Defects which should be carefully 

 avoided are: Hazel or light-coloured eyes, 

 white legs, white in lobe, pale blue body 

 colour." 



ORPINGTONS (SITTERS) 



GEXER.A.L CH.\R.\CTERISTICS 



Head. — Skull : Small and neat, and fairly full 

 over the eyes. Beak : Strong and nicely curved. 

 Eyes : Full and bright. Comh : (a) Single or (b) 

 rose ; (a) of medium size, erect, evenly serrated, 

 and free from side sprigs ; (fe) small, straight and 

 firm, full of fine work or small spikes, level on top 

 (not hollow in centre), narrowing behind to a dis- 

 tinct peak lying well down to the head (not sticking 

 up). Face : Smooth. Ear-lobes : Of medium size 

 and length. Wattles : Of medium length, rather 

 oblong, and nicely rounded at tlie bottom. 



Neck. — Of medium length and abundantly covered 

 vvith long hackle feathers, which should reach weU 

 on to the back. 



Body. — Deep and broad ; wide and sUghtly rising 

 saddle with full hackle, which with the long neck- 

 hackle give the back a short and somewhat concave 

 appearance. Breast : Broad and well rounded (not 

 flat), carried forward. Wings : Rather small, carried 

 closely to the body, the ends almost hidden by the 

 saddle-hackle. 



Tail. — Rather short, compact, flowing and in- 

 clined backwards, but by no means in " squirrel '' 

 fashion. 



Legs and Feet. — Legs : Short and strong, the 

 thiglis almost hidden by tlie body feathering. Toes : 

 Four on each foot, straiglit, and well spread. 



Carriage. — Erect and graceful. 



Weight. — 10 lb. 



Plumage. — Fairly close but not so hard as ia 

 the Game fowl nor so soft, loose, and fluffy as in 

 tlie Cochin. 



Handling. — Firm flesh. 



HEN 



The general characteristics of tlie hen are similar 

 to those of the cock, allowing for the natural sexual 

 differences. It is worth noting that the Cushion 

 should be small, sufficient to give the back a short 

 and graceful appearance, but not fuU and round,, 

 or " ball " shaped as in the Cochin. 



Weight.— 8 lb. 



