496 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



enclosure during a shower, since wetting the crest greatly mars its beauty, besides causing it 

 to fall over the eyes and thus obstruct the sight. The crest and beard serves as a protection 

 against frost to the comb and wattles. They should always be gently handled, and never 

 suddenly frightened, as they are often frightened to death by being suddenly seized without 

 being aware of a person s approach. There are other varieties of this breed described by 

 different writers, and sometimes seen, such as the Buff or Chamois Polish, Blue, Gray, Black, 

 and Cuckoo, etc., but these are very rare. 



SUMATRAS. 



THIS breed, although introduced into this country about thirty years ago, has never 

 been extensively bred here. They formerly varied much as to color of plumage, but 

 are now mostly bred pure black. They were formerly known by the name of 

 &quot;Sumatra Games,&quot; &quot;Sumatra Ebon Games,&quot; &quot;Sumatra Pheasants,&quot; and &quot;Sumatra Pheasant 

 Games,&quot; to distinguish the different colors. As the name indicates, they are* natives of the 

 island of Sumatra, and are a small active bird, and in some respects slightly resemble the 

 Game species, yet are materially different from them. They have been described as 

 resembling in form the wild Pheasant, more than any other fowl, especially in the length of 

 the tail. The head is broad with small comb and wattles, which are bright red. 



The comb is what is called a &quot;pea comb;&quot; the beak strong and powerful, eyes lustrous, 

 quick, and fiery; the birds generally indicate something of wildness in look and manner. 

 The neck is long and gracefully curved, the breast broad and well rounded, the legs slender 

 and symmetrical, with powerful thighs like the Game. The plumage is rather compact and 

 black, with beautiful metallic reflections. The tail, which is the most noticeable feature of 

 the bird, is, in the language of Dr. Bennett, who received the first importation of them into 

 this country, &quot;very long and flowing, with abundant plume and sickle feathers sweeping the 

 ground, and in this respect, more closely resembling the bird of Paradise than any. other of the 

 gallinaceous race.&quot; The legs are unfeathered, and the cocks sometimes have even two or 

 three spurs. 



Merits and Defects of Sumatras. These fowls possess the most lustrous and 

 beautiful plumage of any black colored fowl we have ever seen; are good in egg-production, 

 and are a good table fowl. They are, however, restless if confined, and will fly almost equal 

 to a pigeon; consequently a very high fence is required to keep them within an enclosure. 

 They breed quite true to feather, though an occasional white or red feather will sometimes 

 appear, as in nearly all black plumaged birds. 



SPANISH. 



THE Spanish fowls have long been so poptilar in this country and Europe, and their 

 merits so well known that a lengthy description here is unnecessary. Their symmetry 

 of form, graceful and proud carriage, as well as beauty of plumage, have made them 

 favorites with poultry fanciers, while their real value as egg-producers, combined with the 

 former, have placed them among the most desirable breeds. Their flesh is of very good 

 quality. Their eggs are large and white, and are said to exceed in weight those of any other 

 breed, except the La Fleche. The Black Spanish is the most important variety of this breed, 



