1368 



CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOK. 



Again, compare tne two birds as to width of breast. We like a wide 

 breast, so as to get plenty of meat on each side of the breast-bone ; also 

 we must have lung and heart capacity. This, of course, brings a wide 

 back. No. 1 has a fine wide breast, which is also full or prominent. 

 No. 2 is rather narrow in the breast. No. 1 is also deeper. Now, if 

 you were so situated as to be able to examine these birds critically, you 

 would find No. 1 had a very long breast-bone extending w^ell back ; also 

 that there was exceptional width between the legs, and, further, that he 

 stood straight upon his legs, the feet being firmly placed upon the 



No. 2. No. 3. 



ground. No. 2 is very narrow between the legs; the legs also bow 

 toward each other at the joints, and, further, he does not stand straight 

 upon his legs; or, in other words, he is sickle-hocked. His breast-bone 

 is medium in length. No. 1 has a fair size bone. No. 2 is a little 

 heavier in bone. In w^idth of back No. 1 is far superior to No. 2. In 

 length of back No. 2 has a slight advantage. Here is the weakest point 

 in No. 1, in that he lacks length of back. A very long back is not all 

 desirable. A short back is much better, but a medium length of back 

 is what is wanted. This is necessary to get weight. A short bird must 



