PART THIRD. 



BLACK WYANDOTTES. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 



The Black Wyandotte is the last addition to the Wyandotte 

 family, and has proved a worthy member in comeliness and utility. 

 No family in the Standard can show such evenness in size, type and 

 general characteristics as the Wyandotte. There is not a good or 

 poor quality in one that is not found in the other, and, what is most 

 singular, two varieties of the family are " sports," and two have 

 been made by composite crosses. The unity of standard points is 

 not accidental, but rather due to intelligent and harmonious views 

 on the part of their breeders, to make all uniform in every standard 

 point, save color. 



The Black Wyandotte is bred in a quiet way, and handled by 

 some experienced breeders. It is not likely to create a stir among 

 fanciers when it becomes a Standard variety, and takes its place 

 with its older cousins ; there are so many handsome varieties 

 belonging to the family, which will attract, please and satisfy many, 

 who will not transfer their liking to a black fowl. It will, however, 

 have many warm friends, and those who are at all partial to black, 

 will be sure to breed the Black variety, and many will, in years to 

 come, make a specialty of Wyandottes, and breed all varieties. 



Black Wyandottes are bred in a limited way, owing to a divison 

 among breeders as to the color of their legs. Some are striving to 

 establish a yellow leg, so as to be uniform in this, as well as in other 

 standard points, with other members of the family; and, besides 

 the addition of yellow legs will make them more valuable for market 

 or fancy sale, more attractive on the lawn and in the show-room, 

 and set off the rich black plumage and red of head' to better advan- 

 tage. The majority of Black Wyandotte breeders is in favor of 

 breeding them with yellow legs, although it is well known to be a 



