526 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



is their having five toes, like the Dorkings ; shanks and toes are of a 

 pinkish-white color, mottled or shaded with lead color or black. The 

 standard weight of cocks is 7 pounds ; 'hens, 6 pounds; cockerels, 6 

 pounds; pullets, 5 pounds. 



THE MEAT BREEDS. 



Brahmas. The leading variety of the Asiatic class is the Light 

 Brahma. This fowl has a history that would fill many pages were it 

 recorded. These are the fowls which caused the "hen fever" of the 

 fifties, about which so much has been written in later years. Their 

 early history is a matter of controversy, the best authorities differing 

 as to their origin. 



They were first known as "Brahma Pootras," "Gray Shanghais," 

 "Chittagongs," "Cochin Chinas," and what not. The early breeder 

 named them according to his fancy for high-sounding and sensa- 

 tional names in order to sell his stock. Fabulous prices were paid for 

 them when the craze for fine poultry was at its height in the early 

 days of the last half of the nineteenth century. They have stood 

 high in popular favor since then without abatement. The vast num- 

 ber of breeders who are raising them fully attest their worth to the 

 industry as a practical bird. The Brahma is unlike other breeds, 

 and it should not be confounded in shape with the Cochin. In shape 

 the body of the Brahma is rather long and deep, with full, broad, 

 and round breast, carried well forward. The fulness is. typical of 

 the Brahma and is characteristic of prolific birds. 



In plumage the Light Brahma male is white and black, white 

 largely predominating. Any color but white and black is a fault in 

 the standard-bred bird. The hackle is white with a black stripe ex- 

 tending down the center of each feather and tapering to a point near 

 the extremity. The tail feathers are 'black, and the sickle feathers 

 are glossy greenish black. The shanks are well feathered, with the 

 feathering extending down the middle toe. The toe feathering may 

 be white, or white sprinkled with black. A small pea comb, a broad 

 crown projecting over the eyes, bright-red face, wattles, and ear lobes 

 are essential to a good head. The shanks and toes are bright yellow. 



The Brahma female is much like the male in head qualities, 

 having a broad crown, projecting well over the eyes, and a small pea 

 comb. The head is white ; hackle, white striped with black, as in the 

 male ; tail, black, excepting the two highest main tail feathers, which 

 may be edged with white ; tail coverts one or more rows, distinctly 

 covering a part of both sides of the main tail, two rows being prefer- 

 able are black, edged with white. 



The Light Brahmas are valuable birds for the farm. They 

 have always been made to pay for their keep and have seldom been 

 set aside by any who have bred them. They are the largest of do- 

 mestic poultry and do as well in confinement in small runs as on free 

 range. As layers they will average from 12 to 13 dozen eggs a year, 

 and they lay exceptionally well in winter. Their eggs are large, 

 about 7 to a pound, of a rich brown color and excellent flavor. For 

 table purposes the birds are good ; they do not mature as early as do 

 the varieties of the American class, yet they are hardy, and can be 



