POULTRY. 469 



eyes are bright and full, and the manner sprightly. Like all the varieties of the Leghorn 

 breed, they are more restless and nervous than many other kinds, and will forage extensively 

 when given the opportunity, which makes them very desirable for those farmers who have a wide 

 range and do not object to poultry having free access to it. 



They are very hardy and easily reared; being of small size, they require less food than 

 some of the larger varieties, while they also mature earlier. They are bountiful layers, and 

 are unsurpassed in this respect; the egg is pure white. Their color is such that it draws 

 more heat from the sun s rays in winter than the white fowl, which some of the poultry fan 

 ciers, having a partiality to this variety of the breed, give as an argument in favor of brown 

 over the white plumaged fowls, but for our own part we see but little choice in the two 

 varieties. It is merely a matter of taste. There is no fowl that looks more neat than the 

 white when kept neat, and they are a very attractive feature to a green landscape. 



White LegllOl llS. The White Leghorns were introduced into this country much 

 earlier than the brown, and are consequently more widely disseminated. In England they 

 are much more popular than the Brown variety, while in this country they seem to be 

 regarded with nearly equal favor, with perhaps a little partiality in favor of the brown. As 

 far as the economic value of the two colors is considered, we regard them as of equal value; 

 the color being a matter of taste. Some fanciers consider the brown chickens more hardy 

 than the white, while those with whom the white variety are the especial favorites, regard 

 them as equally hardy with the brown. They are more easily bred true to color than the 

 brown variety, as white feathers will unavoidably make their appearance now and then to 

 disappoint the fancy breeders of the brown. For farm use, as egg-producers, or as poultry 

 for the table, this is no essential objection; but to the bird fancier who is breeding for the 

 show-pen, according to the recognized standard, it is an obstacle to be met in breeding birds 

 of the purest blood. 



It is only to be met by eliminating from the breeding pens, as often as they make their 

 appearance, every bird with foul feathers, and retaining only those for breeding purposes that 

 are true to color. 



The White Leghorn is in plumage pure white throughout, with bright red comb and 

 wattles, and white or creamy white ear-lobes. Its beak and legs are yellow. In the cock the 

 hackle is very abundant, also tail coverts; while, like all the Leghorn varieties, the sickle- 

 feathers are long and well curved. They are proud in carriage, and, like all the smaller 

 varieties of fowl, are sprightly and active. They are a beautiful fowl in form, plumage, and 

 symmetry, and well repay for the care bestowed in the abundant supply of eggs they furnish. 

 In all respects except plumage they are similar to the Brown Leghorns. 



Rose-Comb White Leghorns. This is a new variety of the Leghorn breed in this 

 country, that seems to do away with the objection so often urged by those living in a cold 

 climate, against the single combs of the Leghorns, which are so liable to become frozen by 

 our Northern winters, and also obviate the dubbing process so often resorted to as a choice 

 between two evils, of &quot;cutting or freezing,&quot; and which at best is a cruel practice to prevent a 

 worse evil imposed by Jack frost. 



In size, form, symmetry, and all respects except the comb, they are identical with the 

 common White Leghorns. 



By careful breeding, we shall doubtless have in time Eose-comb Leghorns of all the 

 varieties of plumage now known. These would be better adapted to our colder latitudes 

 than the single comb varieties. It only remains for the patient, persevering efforts of our 

 experienced poultry breeders to bring it about, which can be done without detracting in the 

 least from the characteristic merits of the breed. 



