342 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



on Wyandottes, Minorcas, and other varieties. The pea 

 comb is very small, and resembles three single combs dwarfed 

 in size and crowded side by side, with the central one some- 

 what larger than the others. There are also V-shaped and 

 strawberry combs, but these are not common. The ear 

 lobes are usually small, and vary in color from red to white 

 or bluish, according to breed. The wattles are usually red, 

 and on the cock often hang below the bill in a conspicuous 

 manner. The bill does not show the striking differences 



Fig. 185. The serrated, single 

 comb of the Leghorn. Repro- 

 duced from the "Poultry Manual." Fig. 186. A rose comb. 



seen in the comb and wattles. Some breeds, like the Houdan 

 and Polish, have crests, or clusters of feathers, which some- 

 times largely hide the head proper from view and also often 

 affect the sight. 



The feathers of the fowl differ in a remarkable way in 

 size, form, and color. Even with varieties of one color, as 

 for example white, the shades of this hue are made a subject 

 of discussion by poultry experts. This also applies to other 

 solid colors. In the case of fowls having more than one color- 

 marking to the feather, there are barred feathers, as with the 

 Plymouth Rock; penciled feathers, as with the Silver Pen- 



