AMERICAN BREEDS. ^ 



suits make them very suitable for countless localities 

 where larger and more valuable-looking fowls would be 

 liable to be stolen. The merits of this breed will recom- 

 mend it to persons residing in the country as well worthy 

 of promotion in the poultry-yard, whether as producers 

 of eggs or of meat, or as sitters or nurses. 



The color of their plumage maybe described as a light 

 steel-gray ground, with each feather distinctly striped 

 or barred across with a darker or bluish-gray, the bars 

 shading off gradually from dark into light. The cock 

 is a very showy bird, with full saddle and hackle, and 

 abundant well-curved sickle feathers. The comb should 

 be a neat "rose" form; face, wattles, and ear-lobes 

 should be red; wattles neat, well-rounded, and of me- 

 dium size; legs bright yellow. 



WYANDOTTES. 



A breed which for some time was known as the 

 " American Seabrights" has many admirers, who were 

 instrumental in having the variety admitted to the 

 Standard at the meeting of the American Poultry As- 

 sociation held at Worcester in 1883. At the same time 

 the birds were given the name of Wyandottes. 



Breeders differ in their statements of the origin of this 

 variety, but it is generally considered to be a cross of the 

 Brahma and Hamburg breeds. It matters little, how- 

 ever, what the history of the fowl is, so long as it pos- 

 sesses the desired characteristics. When well-bred, the 

 Wyandottes are good layers, sitters, and mothers, and 

 their flesh is of the finest flavor. Their plumage is 

 white and black, each feather having a white ground 

 and being heavily laced with black, the tail alone being 

 solid black. They have a small rose comb, face and 



