JUDGING POULTRY AND POULTRY PRODUCTS 475 



tapering more or less to a smooth point. This comb occurs 



on Wyandottes, Minorcas, and other varieties. The pea 



comb is very small, and resembles three single combs dwarfed 



in size and crowded side by side, 



with the central one somewhat 



larger than the others. There are 



also V-shaped and strawberry 



combs, but these are not common. 



The ear lobes are usually small, 



and vary in color from red to 



white or bluish, according to 



breed. The wattles are usually 



red, and on the cock often hang 



below the bill in a conspicuous 



manner. The bill does not show the striking differences 



seen in the comb and wattles. Some breeds, like the Houdan 



and Polish, have crests, or clusters of feathers, which some- 

 times largely hide the 

 head proper from view 

 and also often affect the 

 sight of the birds. 



The feathers of the 

 fowl differ in a remark- 

 able way in size, form, 

 and color. Even with 

 varieties of one color, as, 

 for example, white, the 

 shades of this hue are 

 made a subject of discus- 

 sion by poultry experts. 

 This difference also ap- 

 plies to other solid colors. 

 In case of fowls having 



more than one color-marking to the feather, there are barred 



feathers, as with the Plymouth Rock; penciled feathers, as 



Figure 230. Outstretched wing showing 

 barred feathers of the Plymouth Rock. 

 Photograph from Prof. F. S. Jacoby. 



