BLACK WYANDOTTES CHARACTERISTICS. 53 



burg or the Golden Spangled Polish in purity, richness and sheen 

 of plumage. 



Yes, the originator of the Golden Wyandottes is trying his hand 

 on a Spangled variety. Fanciers of a practical turn of mind will 

 follow out the old saying, " We cannot have too much of a good 

 thing," The American Poultry Association will hardly "kick" 

 against a few more varieties of this class, seeing that the Polish has 

 eight and the Hamburg six varieties. Surely a useful family like 

 the Wyandottes need a good share of beauty, too, in order to please 

 the fastidious amateurs, as well as those who desire usefulness and 

 beauty combined. The Black with a rich, metallic sheen, like that 

 on a well-bred Langshan or Black Hamburg, will not be the least 

 among the great and popular varieties, as close competition will 

 stimulate their breeders to make every effort to improve them in 

 usefulness and beautify them for ornamentation. 



There is no doubt that the Blacks will be on the roll of honor 

 when the Standard will be open for reception of new breeds, because 

 every member of the American Poultry Association knows that a 

 Black variety in the Wyandotte family was possible any day since 

 the advent of the Silvers. We are sure, too, that no pains will be 

 spared to make them worthy of Standard recognition, as there will 

 be no need of spurious manufacture, as was the case in many 

 instances when the Whites were booming. It is in the breeders' 

 own hands to build up or tear down this promising variety, and it is 

 near time that they should come to an amicable and harmonious 

 agreement on the color of legs and some other minor points, so 

 they can make a standard, and submit it for approval or correction, 

 and for the best interests of the variety. 



The beginner will have comparatively easy lessons in breeding 

 the Blacks or Whites. People of aesthetic taste often wonder at the 

 different tastes of breeders ; one choosing this, and one choos- 

 ing that, breed or variety. It has ever been the same way, and, in 

 all probability, it will ever continue as in the past, as it is a part of 

 our nature, and necessary to our existence, comfort and happiness. 

 Some will always be found ready to pick up the first new breed that 

 is announced, while others cannot be weaned from the " old relia- 

 bles," and more, will look with distrust on every new comer, and 

 venture to prophesy a short life for it; and there are some who are 

 jealous of every acquisition to our native stock, and growl about 

 admitting any more to our Standard list, for fear they will draw 

 patronage from their own favorite breeds. 



