I'l.VMorTII If OCR STANDARD AND BREED BOOK (57 



brace five or six different broods. The color of all of them is 

 peculiarly uniform and I am satisfied that the variety (or breed) 

 is now well established. The body plumage on the pullets is a 

 rich deep brown, speckled with golden-tipt feathers; the under 

 down is black (or a deep blue-black), and the tail is brown, black 

 and gold. 



"The legs of the pullets are very dark colored, and one-half 

 of them or more, are five toed; but some of them do not come 

 so. The comb is single, and the wattles thin and small. The 

 head and neck are well formed, the legs are shorter than the 

 average of fowls, and the hens are not only deep and broad- 

 chested, but the bodies are proportionately very long, as you 

 will observe in the drawing. 



"The roosters are noble birds among the finest I have ever 

 met with. The plumage of the roosters is dark red hackles on 

 neck and rump ; the legs are bright yellow, slightly feathered ; 

 the body, dark red and green relieved with stray feathers of a 

 golden tint; and the under portion of the body and breast is a 

 rich, deep, glossy blue-black partaking of the plumage of the 

 Wild Indian fowl, the original cross. The tail-plumes on the 

 above crower are not grown out as yet, of course, nor does he 

 yet show any spur; but he is pictured exactly as he is at this 

 time, after his first moult. When he is in full plumage the tail 

 feathers are heavy and give the male bird not only a much 

 larger proportionate appearance, but very greatly improve his 

 form." 



Mr. John Giles of Providence, R. I., a prominent poultry 

 fancier and importer of those times, writes : "The 'Rocks' are a 

 splendid bird, and if their table qualities prove to be good, will 

 make a valuable breed of fowls." Again in the same letter he 

 says : "On more close examination of the 'Rock' chick, I am 

 more confirmed that they must prove an invaluable breed. Could 

 you not cross so as to have one distinct color of leg and plum- 

 age?" 



Other descriptions and testimonials follow. These fowls are 

 commended for their laying qualities as well as for their uni- 

 formity of appearance. 



Did the First Plymouth Rock Become Extinct? Neither 

 from these descriptions nor from the accompanying illustrations 

 could one agree with the deductions of Harrison Weir, the noted 

 English artist and author, in his work, "The Poultry Book," 

 London, 1871, though the logic is very plausible at a distance. 



