THE LEGHORNS 



103 



pearance and should be cut one point for shape. While the 

 Standard says ear-lobes should be "white or creamy 

 white," white is preferred and such an ear-lobe as shown 

 in Fig. 2, is generally yellow and showing red edges — if it 

 is yellow or reddish cut from one-half to one and one-half 

 for color. 



In Fig. 3, we have a pair of wattles that are even in 

 length but are folded and hang poorly. Such wattles 

 should be cut one point. Judging the ear-lobe as shown 

 here we should cut it at least one-half, as it has the appear- 

 ance of having a hollow center and is too pendulous in 

 character. 



Fig. 4, shows a wattle fairly good in shape being, per- 

 haps, a trifle flat in front and at the bottom and deserving 

 a cut of one-half. The ear-lobes are not rounded or 

 smooth. They look lumpy, irregular and red and should 

 be cut at least one for shape and two for color. Remember 

 that "red covering more than one-half of the ear-lobe in 

 cockerels and pullets will disqualify." 



Neck 



This section is valued at seven points, three for shape 

 and four for color, and as a rule is very good in shape. The 

 most common defect found in shape of neck is when not 

 in full plumage causing a break in the plumage that spoils 

 the curve or arch. A cut of one-half will generally cover 

 it. In color the neck should be of a "rich, brilliant red, 

 with a lustrous greenish black stripe running down the 

 middle of each feather tapering to a point near its ex- 

 tremity, the red to be free from black." The latter part of 

 the above description is important, viz.: "tapering to a 

 point near its extremity, the red to be free from black." 

 It is important that the black tip be free from red and 

 that the red tapers to a point, otherwise the beautiful 

 st'-iped or laced effect is lost. Examine the chart on page 

 28 and you will get a good idea of how they should be. 

 The shaft of the feather should be black and where red 

 shafts are noticed the cut should be from one-half to 

 two as in degree. Where the black and red are inter- 

 mingled, giving a mealy appearance the cut should be 

 from one to two and one-half. Where the tips are black or 

 splashed the cut should be from one to two and one-half. 

 White in under-color should be cut from one and one-half 

 to two and one-half depending upon the amount of white. 



Back 



Back section is valued at nine points, five for shape 

 and four for color. Shape description and cuts have been 

 explained under "disqualifications and shape." This sec- 

 tion has been increased two points in valuation, the extra 

 two points being added to shape, as it is generally con- 

 ceded that the back is one of the most important sections 

 there is. There is so much chance of getting back too 

 long, spoiling the shape and symmetry of the whole bird 

 that the old Standard did not give enough valuation to 

 shape so that a judge could cut hard enough to discourage 

 the breeding of such specimens. This increased valuation 

 on back shape will be a good thing for the breed. The 

 back should be of medium length, the saddle rising in a 

 short concave sweep to the tail. If too long or too nar- 

 row cut one-half to two as in degree. If too short giving 

 the bird a blocky appearance cut one-half to one. If flat 

 showing a break at junction of neck or tail or both, cut 

 one-half to two and one-half as in degree. The lowering 

 of the tail carriage gives the back a longer appearance 

 than formerly so breeders must watch and discount hard 

 those diminutive specimens with the extremely long 

 backs. 



In color the back should be red striped with black, 

 same as hackle. The saddle feathers are broader and the 

 saddle hangers longer. Breeders gave their best atten- 

 tion to this section for years and made great improve- 

 ment. The defects most commonly found are mixed 

 black and red edges which should be cut from one-half to 

 one and one-half. When red shafts are discovered cut 

 one-half. Red centers or those failing in the black strip- 

 ing, giving the back a red or mealy appearance should be 

 cut from one to two as in degree. If the striping shows 

 only on one side of the shaft, cut one point. In breeding 

 for exhibition cockerels a good strong black stripe in 

 hackle and saddle is desirable. The light or "lemon" col- 

 ored necks and saddles are used to produce exhibition 

 pullets. You must breed to get the striping in proportion 

 to the feather if you wish to get a perfect saddle on cock- 



erel 



Breast 



This section is valued at nine points, five for shapf 

 and four for color. The shape valuation was reduced on( 

 point at the recent revision of the Standard. Remember 

 the shape should be "full and well rounded." That does 

 not mean deep and broad like some of the other breeds 

 but "well-rounded." If too narrow, flat or undeveloped 

 cut one-half to one. If too low and not carried well up, 

 cut one-half. In color it should be "glossy black." The 

 most common defect found here is purple barring which 

 should be cut one-half to two. 



Body and Fluff 



This section was reduced one point in valuation and 

 is now valued at five points, two for shape and three for 

 color. There are few defects found in this section and 

 we generally include crooked breast or keel-bones here 

 instead of breast as the defect is generally found below 

 the breast, generally between the thighs. Crooked breasts 

 or keels should be cut from one-half to two as in degree 

 and in "remarks" column on the score card, the clerk 

 should write "C. B." or "C. K." for crooked breast or 

 crooked keel so the exhibitor would understand the cut. 

 In color this section should be black. Should it show 

 red colored or mossy feathers the cut should be from one- 

 half to one. 



Wings 



Wing section is valued at eight points, four each for 

 shape and color. They are generally good in shape. 

 Broken or missing flights are cut one and one-half each. 

 White in wings of Brown Leghorns disqualifies except at 

 base of primaries in cock birds and if found there it is 

 cut one and one-half point. Other shape cuts are de- 

 scribed under "disqualifications and shape." In color the 

 bows should be rich, brilliant red; the wing fronts black, 

 while the primaries are black with the lower web edge'l 

 with brown. The secondaries should be black, the lower 

 web having a brown edging of sufficient width to make 

 a wing bay of the same color. The coverts should be 

 greenish black forming a well defined greenish black bar 

 across the wing when folded. The most common defect 

 found is poor wing barring, the smutty appearance of 

 shoulders caused by the mixing of the red and black. 

 These defects should be cut from one-half to one and 

 one-half. 



Tail 



Another important section with a valuation of ten 

 points, six for shape and four for color. Sha>e valuation 

 has been increased two points. It is seldom we find a 

 Leghorn male tail that can be passed without a cut. Being 



