STANDARD CLASSIFICATION 



75 



The White Dorking is probably the oldest variety of this breed,while 

 the Silver Gray variety is one of the most popular. In America 

 the Dorkings have not attained any great degree of popularity, 

 due, no doubt, to the fact that other breeds are considered better. 



The Red Caps are well known to fanciers. They have many 

 useful qualities, but are not practically considered among the 

 breeds in America. 



The Orpingtons are essentially a dual-purpose fowl, laying a 

 large brown-shelled egg and possessed of a moderately heavy flesh 

 development. The white and buff varieties are the most popular 

 in America. Their present ex- 

 tensive popularity has been 

 due in large part to the efforts 

 of a few breeders who have 

 kept them prominently before 

 the buying public. Where 

 the American general-purpose 

 fowls have yellow shank, beak, 

 and skin, the Orpingtons are 

 pinkish-white in the same sec- 

 tions. These characteristics 

 will tend to hold in check their 

 popularity for market purposes, 

 for the American housewife 

 demands, and will pay a 

 premium for, bright yellow 

 skin and shanks (Figs. 44 

 and 45). 



5. The Polish class includes 

 only one breed, with many varieties. These are admired for their 

 fancy qualities. They have peculiar formations of the skull and 

 nostrils, and are distinctive in having a V-shaped comb. The 

 Polish fowls were originally called Polanders, from the fact that 

 they were supposed to have originated in Poland. English fan- 

 ciers have done much toward improving this breed. The Canadian 

 poultrymen have also taken considerable interest in the breed and 

 in its improvement. One notable feature which fanciers have 

 developed is the size of the crest. This was attained by the 

 breeding of birds which have relatively large knobs on the head, 

 for it was found that the size of the crest and the knob have 

 a direct relation to each other. 



FIG. 45. Black Orpington hen, represent- 

 ing the ideal Orpington type, not yet attained 

 in any other than the black variety. (Photo 

 from Sunswick Poultry Farm.) 



