78 THE AMERICAN BREEDS OF POULTRY 



no value when secured at an unmistakable loss of vitality, as is 

 made apparent by a long narrow head. Plymouth Rock males par- 

 ticularly should be observed in respect to this point, and regardless 

 of how beautifully long they may be, the breeder should remember 

 that a weak head makes a weak bird. This may not be a deciding 

 point on the part of the officiating judge but the breeder should 

 always select birds with a view to the permanence of his strain; 

 and a judge who rises to be a master of his profession should make 

 .his selections with a view to the permanence of the breed. Weak- 

 ness means poor hatching qualities in the eggs, poor growth in the 

 chickens, disappointed beginners and abandoned breeds. 



The comb is the appendage of the head which is usually first 

 observed by beginners. All Plymouth Rocks and half the Rhode 

 Island Reds have single combs, and all Wyandottes and the other 

 half of the Reds have rose combs. The comb is a sort of barometer. 

 When the bird is not in good condition, or is molting, the comb is 

 small. It may be tinged with blue when the bird's liver is inactive. 

 When the specimen is healthy, vigorous and productive, the blood 

 pressure increases the size and bright red color of the comb. There 

 should be from four to six points on a single combed specimen of 

 these breeds, the center point on a strong headed bird being above the 

 eye. This puts more of the comb in front than many breeders fancy, 

 but if they will study the most vigorous males, they will find that 

 the comb is not cut away in front, but is well built in front. The 

 comb should be free from wrinkles, twists, hollows or other un- 

 sightly formations. While the standard calls for five points, one 

 point more or less is not considered a factor by competent breeders; 

 the principal consideration being good balance, sound formation 

 and smooth texture. 



In rose comb varieties the comb should fit the head closely and be 

 firm to the head; covered with small pebbling and terminate in a 

 spike that follows the shape of the head. 



