POULTRY. 461 



there is in the tail of either sex, the better. The wings are very small, which renders flying 

 * impossible, while the breast is deep, broad, and full, and the body broad and deep; the back 

 broad and rising from the middle towards the tail. The fluff is very abundant, the quality 

 of which is considered a good test of the breeding; if fine and downy, the bird is considered 

 well bred; if coarse and rank, the reverse. The thighs are very large and strong, and 

 abundantly supplied with fluff, giving the birds a very broad appearance. 



The legs are yellow, and heavily covered with buff feathers to the ends of the outer and 

 middle toes; they are short and set wide apart; the neck short and well curved; this, with 

 the broadness of the back, and the wings and tail being small, has a tendency to give the 

 bird rather a clumsy appearance, though the carriage of the cock is upright and stately in the 

 extreme. The hen has a very matronly appearance. The head of both sexes is rather small 

 comparatively for the size of the body; the comb red, single, straight, and evenly 

 serrated ; wattles and ear lobes red, the latter quite large and pendant, though of fine, firm 

 texture ; tho beak is yellow. The eyes are bright and sprightly, often approaching the color 

 . of the plumage. They are withal, a very handsome, domestic, and docile bird, and quite 

 popular with many of our extensive breeders, as the many fine specimens at our poultry exhi 

 bitions attest. 



Black Cochins. This variety are not bred as extensively as the Buff, Partridge, and 

 White Cochins, owing to the fact of its being more difficult to retain the color free from 

 stain, as white or gray under feathers are quite liable to make their appearance. They are 

 quite liable to appear also in old birds that have previously been a jet black color. A golden 

 or reddish tinge about the neck is also quite objectionable. The color should be a rich, 

 glossy black. The eyes are bright, and dark red; the beak yellow, shaded with black, giving 

 it the color of horn. The legs are also yellow, shaded with black, often nearly black, and 

 feathered down the outside with jet black feathers, the outer and middle toes being also 

 well feathered. The tail feathers of the cock have a beautiful metallic lustre. In all respects, 

 except color of plumage, eyes, legs, and beak, they are similar to the Buff Cochins previously 

 described. 



White Cochins. This variety is very neat in appearance when bred true to color, 

 which should be a pure white, avoiding as far as possible the yellow or gray tinge in plumage. 

 They are not, however, bred as extensively as the Buff and Partridge Cochins, as their 

 plumage is more liable to become dingy and soiled with dust and soot when confined to a 

 limited enclosure, which detracts much from their beauty. If, however, they have a large, 

 clean run, with plenty of range, this objection is in a great measure avoided, for, as we have 

 previously stated, they are a very neat, attractive bird. 



The beak of this fowl is short, stout, and well curved, and of a rich yellow color. The 

 eyes, pearl cc .or or bright red. Aside from the color of the eyes and plumage, our descrip 

 tion of Buff Cochins will answer the description of this variety, thus obviating the necessity 

 of frequent repetitions. 



Partridge Cochins. These with the Buff variety, are the most popular of the Cochin 

 breed, and have been, within a few years, gradually gaining in popular favor, as they present 

 a very attractive appearance with their bright plumage and substantial form, while the 

 aristocratic and stately carriage of the cock, combined with the motherly and contented 

 bearing of the hen, their docile disposition and quiet habits, cannot fail to attract the attention 

 and admiration of those who do not consider themselves bird-fanciers, or critics in this 

 respect. 



We can give no better description in a condensed form, than that given by Mr. Wright, 

 whose works on poultry are so well known to the general public: &quot; The cock should be a rich 

 orange-red color about the head and hackle, the latter being striped with black ; a black stripe 



