30 



"A LITTLE JOURNEY 



warning in time and enabling all Ancona breeders to get back on the beaten 

 track with well mottled Anconas. When an Ancona ceases to be mottled, 

 it will cease to be an Ancona. 



The ideal feather is black with a slight greenish sheen, with a white tip. 

 The feather is dark color to the skin, whereas the white portion on the tip is 

 sharp and distinct as illustrated. The old standard required a white tip on 

 each and every feather. This has been very difficult to produce. It is 

 objectionable on account of too much white, having a tendency to make the 

 birds too light in color, which detracts from their beauty and after all, this 

 point of color is one which concerns beauty rather than utility. The revision 

 committee has changed the standard to read a white tip on every fifth feather. 

 This will enhance their beauty and doubtless meet with the approval of the 

 majority of other breeders. 



Avoid objectionable purple barring. You are going to be disappointed if 

 you possess Anconas perfect in every other detail except this one of too much 

 purple. Some judges will pass birds on this one point alone. The beak 

 should be yellow with black or dark brown shadings. The iris of the eyes is 

 a bright orange red with a hazel pupil. 



The face of the worthy Ancona is so bright as to almost be called intelligent 

 and who will say that birds do not possess real intelligence? The face and 

 wattles are of a bright red, with the face free from white. Ear lobes are 



One of the many flocks of promising youngsters found on Sheppard's Ancona 

 Farm, where thousands of this popular breed are raised annually 



