STANDARD CLASSIFICATION 71 



Breeds not mentioned, such as Leghorns, Anconas, Hamburgs, 

 Games, and others, have no " standard " weights. 



Variety refers chiefly to color pattern of plumage. For instance, 

 there are six varieties of Plymouth Rocks, and all should be ex- 

 actly the same shape, the only difference being in the color of the 

 plumage. So with Wyandottes; there are eight distinct color 

 varieties. In some cases, however, variety is used to designate the 

 character of comb, the color being the same. 



Type is a word used to classify breeds according to the struc- 

 ture and function of their body as it is related to the economical 

 production of some commercial product. As we have the dairy 

 and beef type of cattle, so we have the egg and meat type of fowl. 



Description of Breeds. — 1. The American class includes 

 the breeds of poultry which have originated in America and 

 which were created and improved with the idea of dual-purpose 

 achievement. They constitute the great mass of poultry kept on 

 American farms and are the popular general-purpose fowls of 

 America. They average in weight from five pounds in the case 

 of immature females to about ten pounds for the mature male bird. 



The Barred Plymouth Rock is undoubtedly the leading breed 

 in popularity, — more are grown each year than any other variety. 

 This variety is the result of crossing a male Dominique and female 

 Java. The idea was to develop the best possible utility bird. 



The Wyandottes were originated in New York State, early in 

 1868, and probably contain intermingled blood of Hamburg, 

 Cochin, and Dark Brahma. They are one of the strongest Ameri- 

 can breeds, and are very popular in exhibitions and on general farms. 



The Rhode Island Red is a breed of more recent origin. There 

 was probably a great intermingling of different breeds in its make- 

 up. Birds of this breed were developed largely in southern New 

 England, but have become very popular for farm purposes in many 

 sections of the country. 



2. The Asiatic Class. — Three distinct breeds are here included. 

 Each is noted for its large size, and all the varieties are meat- 

 producing fowls. This class includes the Brahma, which is the 

 largest of all domestic fowls, often attaining a weight of from twelve 

 to thirteen pounds. They have their origin in types and varieties 

 imported from Asia, as the class name implies. 



The Brahmas were originated in New England, and contain 

 the blood from what was then known as the Gray Chittagong and 

 the Brahmaputra (Fig. 41). 



