366 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 



naturally will seldom win in close competition. With some 

 varieties, the relative places on the award list are but expres- 

 sions of the degree of perfection of condition of the specimens 

 shown. To win, some varieties are more dependent upon con- 

 dition than others. Most prominent of these varieties that de- 

 pend largely upon condition to win are all black and all white 

 varieties, and varieties of the red-black color patterns. Some 

 will object to this statement as too broad and certainly condi- 

 tion with nothing back of it will never win; but just as cer- 

 tainly will perfect condition cover many defects and enable 

 a bird of average exhibition quality to win over one naturally 

 superior. 



Condition, Examined. What, then, does condition mean? 

 What does the word embrace? Many things and various 

 things: in some birds, it means the proper fluffy effect or 

 looseness of feather; in others, it may mean the opposite or 

 hardness of feather, and in still others, the American varieties 

 for instance, a mean between these two extremes ; in all varie- 

 ties, the necessary weight, the health and vigor that gives a 

 bright eye, glowing face, slick appearance and gloss of plum- 

 age. The shape that a specimen displays in an exhibition cage 

 depends upon condition, for without good poise no specimen 

 appears to good advantage and poise is in most every instance 

 dependent upon condition. Condition of exhibition specimens 

 consists of perfect health, full developed form and plumage, 

 but not over-development in either, the required smoothness 

 and hardness or looseness of feather, the acquired tempera- 

 ment and docility to assume and maintain perfect poise, or 

 correct carriage without which no specimen can create the im- 

 pression of form. 



In the acquiring of good or perfect condition, two principles 

 become involved and must receive consideration. The first 

 is that- 

 Winning Quality Is Hereditary. Good showing qualities 

 and aptness for good condition are just as surely transmitted 

 from generation to generation as any characteristics of the 

 species. You have often observed, if you are an exhibitor, 

 that some birds condition easily while it is almost impossible 

 to make others acquire the smoothness of feather and the style 

 or poise that gives them the winning quality. Both of these 

 characteristics, sleek plumage and poise, are hereditary in fowls 

 just as much as good combs, strong undercolor or straight 

 barring. A Barred Plymouth male that lacks a certain amount 



