202 THE AMERICAN BREEDS OF POULTRY 



By crossing White Wyandottes with Golden Wyandottes he produced what he desig- 

 nated as cream Buffs, with white tails and wings. These were bred back to Buff 

 Cochins, and the product of the latter cross was bred to the product of a Buff Cochin- 

 Golden Wyandotte cross. Thus Mr. Brackenbury produced his best Buffs, and with 

 a liberal percentage of clean shanks. The Golden Wyandotte seems to have been 

 liberally used by him to eliminate feathered shanks. As early as 1888 Mr. Bracken- 

 bury had succeeded in producing birds of surprisingly fine color and good Wyandotte 

 shape. His efforts continued from 1888, largely in conjunction with work along the 

 same line by Clarence J. Reddig, of Pennsylvania, until 1894 or 1895, when he sold 

 his flock. 



During the eighties the following gentlemen each produced Buff Wyandottes by 

 crossing Golden Wyandottes with Buff Cochins: Messrs. J. H. Drevenstedt, J. O. 

 Joslin and Clarence J. Reddig. Charles P. Pond is reported to have produced a 

 strain by crossing Golden Wyandottes to White Wyandottes and then back upon 

 the Goldens. 



While the efforts above recorded were being made, R. G. Bufnngton, of Fall 

 River, Massachusetts, was working along a different line to produce the same results. 

 Having sold Silver Wyandottes to farmers in his vicinity, to be crossed for com- 

 mercial purposes with Rhode Island Reds (a mongrel mixture with probably Asiatic 

 and Mediterranean bloods), he was surprised to find among them fairly good Rose 

 Comb specimens. The males were red, although fair colored females were found. 

 All had black in hackles and black tails. This stock was bought and in 1892 or 

 1893 exhibited in New York and sold at long prices. 



Messrs. Brackenbury and Nicholoy had kept silent regarding their effort, intend- 

 ing to further perfect the variety before placing it upon the market. The mongrels 

 from New England farms had, however, stolen a march upon them, and for a time 

 bore the credit of being the first Biuff Wyandottes. 



Breeders were quick to discover the advantages of commingling this Fall River 

 strain with those produced through the help of the Buff Cochin, and the flocks of 

 today are undoubtedly the result of that combination. 



The different breeders of this variety have from time to time corrected defects 

 or improved their flocks by the introduction of blood from others, until there is a 

 similarity between them that partakes of a strong family resemblance. The rapid 

 stride into popularity by the Buff Wyandotte exceeds that of any other fowl before 

 the American people. It was soon learned that it had all the advantages of other 

 varieties and many fine characteristics peculiar to itself. The low rose comb, with 

 full breasted, blocky shape, characteristic of the Wyandotte family, has become 

 permanently fixed in the variety, and in addition to other qualities, has inherited 

 the winter laying features of its Cochin ancestry. 



In color it has had one great advantage over the balance of the family, in being 

 strictly within the pale of fashion. Buff is one of the most popular colors, either in 

 poultry yard or show room, and has been so for a long time and bids fair to con- 

 tinue for years to come. 



During the show season of 1900 and 1901 the Buff Wyandotte class was one 

 of the largest at all the great shows. At Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Chicago 

 the class was one of the prominent features of the shows. In each instance exceed- 

 ingly fine specimens were exhibited. Fanciers marvel at the perfection in both shape 

 and color attained in so short a time. 



This popularity, so strong and well established, must have something stronger 

 than whim or notion for its foundation, and can be accounted for only by merit, 

 and, based upon merit, this popularity must become permanent. This variety does 

 not contain all the good in fowldom, but so much of the good can be found in it 

 that for years to come one of the first upon the list of grand varieties will be the 

 Buff Wyandotte. 



Breeding buff color. Master artists in breeding, blended the red 

 and white and black of the early buffs into the rich, golden, soft-toned 

 buff of today. The names that will always remain indelibly linked with 

 the history of the variety are those of C. S. Mattison, Mr. Dutcher, 



