128 PROFITS IN POULTKT. 



in the wing-coloring of the cocks, and the female? 

 bronze-gray in the ground-color, breeding more closely 

 to the Partridge Cochin; but the introduction of Light 

 Brahma cocks as an occasional cross secured the steel- 

 gray color, which has become the standard color of 

 America. These crosses have been so frequent that the 

 reversion in color is prone to light, and we find English 

 breeders indulging in the use of Partridge Cochin hens, 

 occasionally, to retain the distinct barring of the feather 

 in the females. 



" My taste and knowledge of the breeds lead me to 

 say that next to the Light Brahmas, among the Asiatics, 

 the Dark Brahma must take rank in merit; yet I am 

 compelled to acknowledge that the breed is fourth in 

 the taste and demand of the public. " 



THE COCHINS. 



The Cochin breed of fowls was introduced into this 

 country about the year 1847, and to this was mainly due 

 the celebrated "poultry mania" long to be remembered 

 by breeders of domestic fowls. Men became almost wild 

 after Partridge Cochins, and were willing to spend a 

 small fortune for a trio of fine birds. The neck-hackles 

 of the hens are bright gold, striped with black, the rest 

 of the body being light brown, penciled with a darker 

 shade of the same color. The hackles of the Partridge 

 Cochin cock are bright-red, striped with black, the back 

 being dark-red, with a bar of metallic green upon the 

 wings. The breast and under part of the body are pure 

 black. Some of the points of merit, as claimed by the 

 breeders of these fowls, are as follows: they are hardier 

 than any other breeds, except the Brahmas, and will 

 thrive under conditions where most others would perish. 



