THE PEOPLE'S PRACTICAL POULTRY BOOK. 49 



sessing the most prominence among breeders are the Silver, Golden Spangled, 

 White, Black, and Black with White top-knot. 



SiLVEK-Sp ANGLED POLAND. We have bred this variety for several years, 

 and find it one of the most desirable breeds for the poultry yard, proving 

 Avith us perfectly hardy and " everlasting layers." The ground color of the 

 plumage of the Silver-Spangled Poland should be a silver white, with well 

 defined horseshoe-shaped black spangles. In the cock, the hackle feathers 

 are white, edged and tipped with black ; in the hen, each hackle feather has 

 a spangle on the end ; tail feathers clear white, with spangle on the end ; the 

 spangles on the wing coverts are large and regular in both sexes, so as to 

 form two well-defined bars across each wing. The proper spangle on the 

 breast is all-important. The crest should be full and regular ; feathers black 



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at the base and tip, with white between. A few white feathers frequently 

 appear after the second molt, in the very best hens. Ear-lobes small and 

 white ; wattles, none, being usually replaced by a black or spangled beard. 

 The weight of the cock is from six to seven and a half-pounds, while that of 

 the hen is from four to five and a half pounds. Besides the moon-shaped 

 spangles, many of the birds are shown with laced feathers i. e., with an 

 edging of black on the outline of the feathers, but thicker at the end. This 

 marking, when perfect, is of exquisite beauty. Dr. BENNET says they cer- 

 tainly rank among the very choicest and most beautiful of fowls, whether 

 considered for their beauty or rarity. The newly hatched chickens are very 

 pretty, creamy white, interspersed with slaty dun on the back, head and neck, 



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