52 WYANDOTTES. 



other black varieties have failed of giving satisfaction, while being 

 bred with yellow legs. 



GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 



The Black Wyandotte has not been thoroughly tested in the 

 line of breeding, though it is safe to say that they have come up to 

 all reasonable expectations so far. The number of fairly good speci- 

 mens, and the average percentage of faulty birds in color, count 

 well in their favor; while faults in shape, comb, ear-lobes, breast and 

 body do not fall behind the Goldens. This favorable showing on 

 the start is mainly due to the skill and experience of their original 

 breeders, as few novices have taken a fancy to them, owing first to 

 their color, and being a non-standard variety, and in the next place, 

 there are three other varieties of the same class enjoying well- merited 

 popularity on their handsome and unique plumage ; consequently 

 the breeding of Blacks is mainly confined to old hands. 



We presume to say, that Black Wyandottes have appeared in 

 many of the poultry yards the past decade, without causing any 

 attention. That they are new to the fancy is true only in the sense 

 of their not being brought to public notice before. Breeds made 

 up of composite crosses, each element of color struggling in the 

 combination for influence or mastery at each transmission of the 

 collective elements, it is no wonder that some individual element of 

 color takes precedence, or gains force to subdue, check or hold in 

 abeyance other parts of the admixture, to triumph for awhile or for 

 an indefinite period, if assisted by the breeder. Black is a very 

 strong color, and will assert itself in any combination where it has 

 equal quantity, whether it be in fowls or animals. 



We have no doubt about the Black Wyandottes holding their 

 own in the show room, on the nest, or in the shambles. They are 

 Wyandottes, and color will have little influence on their usefulness. 

 Those who know Wyandottes by experience or reputation, will not 

 hesitate to breed the Blacks, if at all friendly to dark breeds. Time 

 will bring them to the front rank with their cousins; and every one 

 interested in poultry will know that this family combination takes the 

 lead for general usefulness and, we might say, beauty, too. Fanciers 

 will hardly stop and be content when the Blacks take their place in 

 the Standard roll; already there is a veteran at work perfecting a 

 Golden Spangled variety of Wyandottes which, if we may judge by 

 the specimen feathers sent us, will rival the Golden Spangled Ham- 



