PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 355 



in color. He forgot all about the other fine qualities of the 

 winning cockerel. He judged not by first impressions, but 

 with a mania for discovering imperfections. 



A poultry judge should be an optimist always, see the good 

 and then discount the bad points of a specimen. He must 

 bear in mind that there are twelve sections for shape and 

 nearly as many for color, besides weight and condition, which 

 must figure in the complete and final examination of every 

 specimen. However, in a well finished and matured specimen, 

 typical shape is readily seen at a glance, in fact a real top- 

 notcher stands out from the rest. Other things being equal, 

 such a bird will win. 



Yet it may so happen that an ideal bird in type and size 

 is handicapped by a bad comb, which, with the faddist judge, 

 may result in its being passed by without further examination 

 or patient consideration of its superior merits in both shape 

 and color. And therein lies the chief danger in awarding 

 prizes at a poultry show, for this one glaring defect obscures 

 the vision of the judge who happens to be a confirmed defect 

 hunter, at the same time being oblivious to the existence of 

 the Standard which describes the entire bird, even to placing a 

 limit upon penalties for defects. 



General Disqualifications. The American Standard of 

 Perfection, under "General Disqualifications," describes and 

 enumerates the defects which will disqualify the specimens on 

 which they are discovered by the judge. In most instances 

 the descriptions of such disqualifying defects are defined in 

 clear and unmistakable language, but in several others there 

 is considerable room for doubt, requiring intelligent interpreta- 

 tion and generous application by the judge. 



For instance, where it reads : "In varieties where positive 

 white in ear-lobes is a disqualification, judges shall disqualify 

 for unmistakable evidence of an attempt to remove the de- 

 fect." The words "unmistakable evidence" should be carefully 

 weighed before proceeding to disqualify a specimen, as the 

 burden of proof rests with a judge, should an exhibitor demand 

 an explanation in the event of having a specimen disquali- 

 fied for removal of white from the lobes. To be on the safe 

 side, the specimen should be given the benefit of all reasonable 

 doubt. 



But there is another disqualification clause which is even 

 more delicate of adjustment, as it is more difficult of inter- 

 pretation, and that is : "Faking in any manner shall disqualify 



