POULTRY. 



497 



and also the most common; the others are the Minorca or Red-faced Black, Ancona, and 

 White. The average weight of the Spanish cock is about seven pounds, though sometimes 

 they weigh eight. The average weight of the hen is about a pound less than that of the 

 cock. They usually weigh more than they would seem, as they are full-breasted and plump, 

 bodied, and have rather long legs. They rarely sit. 



Black Spanish. The most important feature of this variety of the Spanish breed is 

 the white face, which gives the fowl a very unique and peculiar appearance. It should be an 

 opaque white, smooth and free from wrinkles or any red spots. It extends over the entire 

 surface from the base of the beak towards the back of the head; the wider and deeper, the more 



BLACK SPANISH. 



desirable. It is arched -shape above the eyes, reaching nearly to the comb, and extends below 

 the depth of the wattles in length upon the neck, and joins the latter with the ear lobes, 

 meeting under the throat. The comb is large, single, and deeply serrated, of a bright red, 

 forming a striking contrast with the white face and glossy black plumage. The ear lobes are 

 white and large; the wattles bright red like the comb, and very long and pendulous. The 

 general color of the plumage is a rich, glossy black with lustrous reflections. The tail is car 

 ried rather upright, and the sickle feathers long and beautifully curved. The beak is a dark 

 horn color; the legs a dark lead or blue in color. 



Sometimes white feathers will now and then make their appearance, also red spots in the 

 face. Such birds should be discarded from the breeding pen, as the common rule of Nature, 

 that &quot;like begets like, f will make these birds, as propagators of their race, very unprofitable, 

 where pure bred fowls are desired. The hen is in color and general marking similar to the 

 cock, except that her plumage is not quite as glossy. This is the most popular and valued 

 variety of the Spanish breed. 

 VOL. II. 28 



