POULTRY. 455 



covered with white feathers, or white mottled with black, the feathers covering the outer toes 

 to the extremity. The head is broad, projecting over the eyes, with white plumage; the eyes 

 large and bright; comb quite low, and is what is called &quot;the pea comb,&quot; resembling three 

 small combs pressed into one, the middle one being a little the highest; the peculiarity of 

 this comb is discernible even when the little chicks first break the shell. The color of the 

 comb is bright red; the ear-lobes and wattles are also of the same color. The beak is short 

 and stout, and generally yellow, with a dark stripe down the upper mandible, giving it in 

 some cases the hue of dark horn. 



This variety seems to be more generally popular than the Dark, though they are equally 

 valuable in most of the good requisites, and many prefer the latter as a matter of taste as to 

 color of plumage. For our own part, we prefer the Light variety, as being more attractive 

 in color they make such a striking contrast with the bright green of a lawn, and always have 

 such a neat, attractive appearance. Most poultrymen consider them the better layers, the 

 year through, than the Dark, though the latter are considered remarkably good layers, gen 

 erally, and take rank among the best in this respect. Those who have had an extended 

 experience in breeding this variety have given certain facts, the result of their experiments 

 and observation, which may be of great benefit to those just commencing the undertaking. 

 Chickens of this breed, when hatched very early in confinement, or with limited range, will 

 often show very undesirable plumage during the first three months ; but if they are allowed 

 an extended range, where they can obtain plenty of fresh grass, they will improve wonder 

 fully in plumage, even after five or six months old. Insect food and fresh grass are indis 

 pensable to the perfect development of the adult plumage. Therefore, do not pronounce a 

 Light Brahma chick as worthless, as to color, because he has not a pure white back, or has a 

 neck too white or too black, according to the proper standard of merit ; with proper food and 

 range they will generally come out - all right&quot; in these respects, with the adult feathering, 

 which might very properly be called their &amp;lt; ; new winter clothes.&quot; The dark beak in chicks 

 of this age is indicative of a dark striped hackle in adult feathers, while the light or slightly 

 colored beak indicates a light stripe in hackle feathers in full development. Vulture hocks, 

 which are stiff projecting feathers at the hock-joint (or the joint between the thigh and shank), 

 arc considered a very great defect, and such birds should not be used for breeding purposes, 

 but be carefully excluded from the pen. Mr. G. P. Burnham, who has been a breeder of 

 Brahmas for about thirty years, says of them : 



The Brahmas are among the largest average fowls now known in the world. They are- 

 excellent layers of large-sized eggs, and when well-fed and properly cared for, come early to 

 maturity. The meat is fine-grained, and six to eight-months-old cockerels make superior fall 

 roasters for table consumption. They are a quiet, domestic race, the chickens are very hardy, 

 and after shedding their first feathers and putting forth their winter plumage, they are deemed 

 among the prettiest birds we have in our poultry yards. They are, however, generous feeders, 

 and will eat a third more than ordinary fowls, when kept in close runs. They are neverthe 

 less good foragers when allowed unlimited range and so may be kept in good condition 

 on much less provender during the summer and fall months, when permitted to run at 

 large.&quot; 



Dark Brahmas. The Dark or Penciled Brahma is similar to the Light in comb, 

 form, symmetry, etc., but quite different in color. The head of the perfect Brahma cock is 

 always quite broad, projecting over the eyes, and surmounted oy a good pea comb, which 

 resembles three small combs running parallel the length of the head, the middle one slightly 

 the highest, but all evenly serrated and straight, the whole low and set firmly on the head. 

 The beak is strong, well curved, and the color of dark horn. The eyes, like those of the 

 Light variety, are large and bright. The color of the head plumage is silvery white. The 

 wattles are full, red, and well rounded; the ear lobes are also brilliant red, and about equal in 

 length with the wattles. The neck is rather short, but well curved, with very full hackle, 



