22 "A LITTLE JOURNEY 



with the black and white. Objections were even made to their being exhibit- 

 ed at the Shows. 



But in spite of all this gloomy prophecy and actual enmity, the Anconas 

 pushed their egg-laying way to the front. Out of the chaos of color, there 

 evolved a standard. The great drooping comb and the enormous gills dis- 

 appeared, giving way to combs and gills in proportion to their bodies. 

 You would smile at the pictures of these early Anconas with their tremendous 

 combs, and their gills which rested on the ground when they ate. 



But to get back to the ancient origin of the breed. To my mind, the whole 

 matter is shrouded in the mistiest kind of mystery. Some claim one thing, 

 some another Considerable speculation and guess-work seems to have 

 entered into the affair. But I will say this: From what I have been able to 

 glean from the most responsible authorities about the ancient Italian Ancona, 

 I have no reason to feel that the modern Ancona need be other than mighty 

 proud of its Mediterranean ancestor! 



Jnconas originated on the 

 Eastern Shore of Italy 



