8 WYANDOTTES. 



the different crosses tried to establish on the appearance of their 

 favorites. Another factor of their popularity, which has escaped 

 public attention, is the trouble and perplexing disappointments 

 which followed the breeding of Plymouth Rocks to uniformity of 

 color and matching in the show pen. The Wyandotte was hailed 

 as a relief by those who had not been very successful with the other 

 breed; the plumage of the Wyandotte being unique, their size, lay- 

 ing and table qualities being much in their favor, they soon shared 

 a measure of the popularity lavished on the Plymouth Rocks. 



The Wyandotte met a hearty welcome in every stage of its 

 transition. American fanciers began to take an interest in new 

 breeds of American origin. The Plymouth Rock was a grand suc- 

 cess, although its color is much against it as an ornamental or fancy 

 breed; the Wyandotte, on the contrary, showed promise of becoming 

 a handsome fowl, when the skill of the fancier had brought it up to 

 standard requirements. Hundreds engaged in the breeding of 

 Wyandottes before the breed was admitted to Standard honors; and 

 so enthusiastic were the admirers of this noble breed that Messrs. 

 Arnold and Houdlette published a standard for the breed in advance 

 of the American Poultry Association. 



The favorable qualities of the Silver Wyandotte have come 

 through judicious crossing and improvement of each cross. After 

 the first experimental cross, there was no haphazard crossing after- 

 wards. The Asiatic, with its large frame, robust constitution and 

 quiet nature, transmitted these desirable merits to modify the 

 nervousness, sprightliness and non-sitting trait of the Silver Spangled 

 Hamburg. , On the other hand, the Hamburg has transmitted a 

 share of its precocity and prolificacy, besides exterior points. The 

 original crosses served to modify the Asiatic characteristics, and 

 these, combined with the Hamburg-Brahma cross, established the 

 " happy medium "_ now characteristic of the Wyandotte. 



The original combination would probably create a very good 

 breed in time, if left to itself and the skill of fanciers; but being 

 reinforced with fresh material of a better quality, the modification 

 and improvement became more marked, and the objectionable points 

 of each being largely bVed out, all harmonized in one grand whole. 

 It is almost certain thattthe originator had a laced breed in mind, 

 and that the lacing of the Sebright Bantam was the ideal in view, 

 excepting the tail and hackles, which were to be black and black 

 laced with white. However magnificent the ideal, few birds have 

 appeared in late years thait could be called Sebright laced. 



