GENERAL UTILITY BREEDS 73 



Rhode Island Reds. The Rhode Island Red is another 

 breed of true American origin, many different types being 

 used experimentally in its development. The Cornish fowl 

 was one of its ancestors. These birds were bred in New 

 England, and are to-day rapidly growing in public favor. 

 If this present popularity increases, they bid fair to rival 

 the Plymouth Rock for general use. The shape of the Rhode 

 Island Red resembles a rectangle, the lines of the back and 

 breast being parallel (Fig. 49). The legs and neck are 



FIG. 49. Pair of Rhode Island Reds; a very popular and useful general purpose 

 breed. (Photos by Dearborn and Sharpe, Blairstown, X. J.) 



rather long, and it has an abundant hackle. Its beautiful 

 dark red plumage, the same on both sides, is one of the most 

 attractive plumage patterns on any breed. There are two 

 varieties of Rhode Island Reds, the rose and the single 

 comb, the latter being by far the more popular. The Reds 

 are found on many American farms, and are exceedingly 

 popular with the suburban and city back yard poultryman. 

 They are essentially a dual purpose bird, as they give a very 

 heavy winter yield of eggs, but their eggs lack uniformity 

 of color. They are most persistent sitters, hence special 



