PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 127 



extending in this case from base of neck to tip of tail. The top 

 line, as a consequence, lacks gracefulness, and the specimen is 

 thereby given a clumsy, coarse appearance. 



The four illustrations on page 125 are of faults in the shape 

 of females. Figure 5 shows too long, shallow and narrow body, 

 which is invariably too flat sided. The body and back are too 

 narrow and the tail is too long and too much spread. Such 

 tails are called fan-shaped, sometimes. 



Figure 6 shows the body carried too erect in front, the back 

 sloping too much from base of neck to rear of shoulder. Back 

 too narrow throughout, even pinched back of shoulders. Tail 

 pinched, which means contracted vertically or both vertically 

 and laterally. Body in front of thighs not filled and rounded out. 



Figure 7 is a comparable to the male opposite ; too blocky 

 and too coarse, too much cushion, tail carried too low. A speci- 

 men that as a whole lacks gracefulness and finish, due partly, 

 however, to being overfat. 



Figure 23 (glossary) shows a tail that has been "faked," by 

 plucking, large sickles removed and main tail feathers plucked 

 and bent under smaller sickles and coverts. This is sometimes 

 done by exhibitors to hide such defects as too heavy and bushy 

 tails. 



Breast. The best liked meat of a fowl is found on the breast ; 

 therefore, for this reason breasts that carry as much meat as 

 possible and still retain symmetrical lines are desired for all 

 breeds. The descriptive terms, "broad," "deep," "full," are com- 

 parative, however, and, when used to describe Plymouth Rocks, 

 refer to Plymouth Rocks only. Breasts are frequently faulty as 

 to shape. Some are too narrow, nearly all are not deep enough. 

 Many are not sufficiently full to present the "front" most breed- 

 ers like to see. Few breasts are full just in front and above the 

 end of the keel-bone. This defect is very noticeable, as it is one 

 of the first points of observation, if not the very first, when in 

 the show coop. This fault is illustrated in outline by Figures 

 1, 2, 3, Plate 11, showing back and tail lines. (See also Body 

 and Fluff.) By the above description we are led to expect a 

 breast outlined by a series of broad, symmetrical curves from 

 side to side, merging into the body on either side with no sharp 

 line of distinction between the sides of the breast and the sides 

 of the body. The same description holds nearly true when 

 applied vertically. In this direction the breast should be full and 

 round. The breast should be deep, so that it forms a broad, wide 



