POULTRY. 491 



been subjected to no restraint on a wild country walk. If spoken to soothingly before taking 

 them in hand, this mishap is altogether obviated. 



Among full-crested cocks annoyances frequently arise from the hens eating away the 

 centre-feathers of the crest while yet immature. This evil practice, once acquired, is difficult 

 to repress, the fact being, the cocks stand perfectly still and allow the young feathers to be 

 eaten away piece-meal, as though not susceptible of pain even when the blood is flowing 

 freely. The only course appears to be rather by prevention than remedy, viz. : to fasten the 

 cock up separately for a few days during the time the crest-feathers are being reproduced, 

 for when matured, even the same hens rarely continue this vexatious habit. Sometimes, 

 when cocks have been thus repeatedly plucked by their companions, I have known the crest- 

 feathers reproduced beneath the scalp (being unable to force a passage). This unnatural growth 

 is frequently attended by severe local inflammation and even death. I had, some years back, 

 two or three cocks, thus suffering, experimented upon by a medical acquaintance, the result 

 being, that though he saved their lives, their crests were ruined.&quot; 



The crests in perfect specimens of these birds are large and full, even in the centre, and 

 in the hen nearly globular in form, being more compact than that of the cock, as the feathers 

 are broader and round at the end. As a few black feathers will often make their appearance 

 in the crest, it is frequently the case that birds are found at poultry shows having these 

 feathers trimmed out or plucked, which, when detected (and with competent judges they 

 usually are), disqualifies them at once from competing for prizes, as such deception and trick 

 ery ought to be discountenanced. 



Black-Crested White Polish This beautiful variety of Polish fowls is at present 

 almost unknown, a fact greatly to be regretted, both on account of their rare beauty and 

 economic value, as English writers on poultry mention them as being the largest and most 

 hardy of the Polish family. They were formerly very common. It is hoped that more suc 

 cessful efforts will be made to revive this species among poultry breeders, for, from descrip 

 tions, it must have been the most valuable variety of this breed. They possessed the general 

 characteristics of the other varieties, except they were much larger, the plumage of the body 

 being pure white, and the head surmounted by a large black crest. They were extremely 

 valuable as egg-producers, also as a table fowl, while their extreme hardiness obviated the 

 now common objection to the present varieties of this breed. 



Golden Polish. There are two varieties of both the Golden and Silver Polish, viz., 

 the bearded and unbearded ; the former being more attractive, perhaps, the beard being a 

 very unique marking in fowls, and a fitting counterpart to the beautiful crest of the head. 

 The color of the crest of the Golden Polish is similar to the hackle, being a golden-bay with 

 black lacing; the larger the crest the better, but it should not fall over the eyes so as to 

 obstruct the sight. It should rise well in front, falling over at the sides and back with no 

 division in the middle. The ear-lobes to all the Polish varieties are almost without exception 

 white; the beak and legs dark, the latter being a kind of slaty blue, which are quite apt to 

 grow lighter in color as the bird gets older. The general color of the plumage is a rich 

 golden-bay, each feather marked with black, in the form of a spangle or lacing, the marking 

 increasing in size with the size of the feather. 



The ends of the wing-coverts have a large black spangle, which forms across the wings 

 two distinct black bars when folded ; these features also have a narrow lacing of black on 

 the edge. The sickle-feathers and tail-coverts are also a golden-bay, each feather ending with 

 a large black spangle. Like all spangled and penciled fowls, the marking of this variety is 

 very beautiful. Their characteristics are similar to those described as applying to the 

 Polish breed generally, though they are somewhat larger than the White-Crested Black 

 variety, and are considered by most breeders of experience to be also more hardy. As the 

 crests of all the Polish family are their main characteristics, those having the largest and most 



