GOLDEN WYANDOTTES CHARACTERISTICS. 45 



Speaking of the Golden variety, it says : " As generally shown, 

 Goldens will compare favorably with Silvers in point of merit, and 

 individual males and females have been seen far surpassing in 

 quality any of the Silvers yet exhibited. This I put down to the 

 fact of the 'Goldens' not having been in England long enough to 

 be spoilt; but I am afraid to say how long it will be before they are, 

 as, even this year, the pullets are a very long way behind those 

 exhibited by Mr. Geffcken at the Crystal Palace, and elsewhere, in 

 1888." 



The Golden Wyandotte has been much improved the past few 

 years, in this country ; the jaundiced yellow ground work has 

 given place to rich yellow or golden bay. The male has the same 

 short, flat and broad crown as the Silver, White and Black Wyan- 

 dottes, but the color of plumage is rich yellow or golden bay; eyes 

 and beak the same color as those of the Silver; shape, size and 

 points of comb the same; ear-lobes and wattles the same in size, 

 form and color; neck, hackles, back, breast, body and fluff the same 

 in form and development, only differing in plumage, which is golden 

 and deep reddish bay, the fluff slightly tinged with yellow; wings, 

 legs and tail the same as corresponding parts in the Silver, differing 

 only in the outer web of the primaries being edged with buff or 

 golden bay, outer half of the lower web of secondaries, golden bay; 

 lower web of wing coverts, deep buff or golden bay; wing bows, deep 

 reddish bay; web of shoulder coverts, deep, rich red; thighs, tinged 

 with yellow; the edging of lesser tail coverts, reddish bay being 

 permissable. The Golden is exactly the same as the Silver in stand- 

 ard points, except color; yellow, golden bay, and deep reddish bay, 

 take the place of white and silvery white; under- color, dark slate, 

 tinged with yellow. 



As there is a promising and wide field before the Golden Wyan- 

 dottes, owing to their rich and attractive plumage, we will offer a 

 few suggestions on description and judging, which will also aid the 

 novice in his efforts to become more familiar with the form and 

 color points of. the variety. And, as the plumage of the Golden is 

 the counterpart of that of the Silver, with the exception of the 

 ground color, as above stated, which is golden bay instead of silvery 

 white, a minute description of the Golden is unnecessary. How- 

 ever, we will mention the defects in each section, and the cuts 

 which should be inflicted in each case, thus making it as valuable 

 and instructive to the novice as if we were to devote a special 

 chapter on judging. 



