POULTRY KEEPING 531 



and face are the same color as in the male, but the ear lobe is much! 

 smaller. There are eight standard varieties of Leghorns: The 

 Single-comb and Rose-comb Brown, Single-comb and Rose-comb 

 White, Single-comb and Rose-comb Buff, Single-comb Black, and 

 Silver Duckwing. 



The Brown Leghorns are one of the prettiest of the Leghorn 

 varieties, but they are the most difficult of all to breed to feather. 

 They have merited the confidence of poultry lovers for a long time ; 

 their hardy constitutions have withstood rough usage, and promis- 

 cuous interbreeding has not effaced their characteristics. They are 

 a fixed variety, and their merits are noticeable from the newly 

 hatched chick to the oldest specimen. 



The White Leghorn is the most generally bred of the Leghorn 

 varieties. It is, no doubt, the most advantageous to breed for profit, 

 and the easiest to raise on the farm. Being of one color in plumage, 

 these birds are more successfully raised and cared for than the parti- 

 colored varieties. Their plumage is pure white throughout, and 

 feathers other than white will disqualify them. It has been a matter 

 of much speculation as to which variety of Leghorns is most prolific 

 in egg production. This is a difficult question to adjust properly to 

 the satisfaction of the specialty breeders, but from a conservative 

 standpoint it is generally considered that the Whites have slightly 

 the advantage over the others. Phenomenal individual egg records 

 have been made by almost all varieties, but the foregoing opinion is 

 based upon the general results obtained from various sources. 



The Buff Leghorn is a beautiful bird and one that will win its 

 way wherever bred. Buff-colored birds have many admirers, and 

 those who have bred them are pronounced in praise of their qualities. 

 Besides having the general characteristics of the Leghorn type, the 

 Buff Leghorn cock has a plumage of an even shade of rich golden 

 buff throughout. The undercolor is of a slightly lighter shade, but 

 even in color throughout. White and black feathers in plumage are 

 objectionable. The hen is of the same color as the cock. 



The Black Leghorn is a popular bird and a favorite with those 

 who are partial to its color of plumage. The Black Leghorn is mis- 

 taken by many for the Black Minorca, but is quite different in type. 

 The Minorca is larger in size, has a longer body, larger comb, and 

 dark slate or nearly black shanks and toes. The plumage of the 

 Black Leghorn is a rich glossy black throughout. The comb, face 

 and wattles are bright red, the ear lobes white, and the shanks yellow 

 or yellowish black. 



Silver Duckwing Leghorns are not generally bred in this coun- 

 try, though they are frequently seen in the showrooms. They are 

 considered as profitable as any of the other Leghorn varieties, and in 

 point of beauty they are very interesting and fascinating. The 

 hackle feathers of a Silver Duckwing Leghorn cock are pure silvery 

 white, without the slightest straw or creamy tinge, with a narrow 

 black stripe along the center of the lower hackle feathers; back, 

 saddle, and wing bow, silvery white; breast, under parts, wing bar, 

 and tail, lustrous black. The Silver Duckwing Leghorn hen nas a 



