THE PEOPLE'S PRACTICAL POULTRY BOOK. 



51 



are usually dark colored, although through too close breeding, flesh-colored 

 and even yellowish legs will show themselves ; but those with darkish legs 

 are to be preferred. Often times the cock will have some whitish feathers in 

 the tail, which by some is thought to be a sure sign of pure breeding. 



WHITE-CRESTED BLACK POLAND. The White-crested Black is of a 

 glossy black color ; body short, round and plump ; legs shortish and of black 

 or leaden color ; full wattles of a bright red ; ear-lobes pure white ; hackle, 

 saddle and tail have bright reflections ; crest is of pure white, regular and 

 full. These birds weigh from five to six pounds. 



WHITE-CRESTED WHITE POLAND. The pure White-crested White Po- 

 lands are very hardy ; have no wattles, but have a well-developed beard in 

 lieu thereof. They, like all Polish breeds, are " everlasting layers," and non-. 

 setters. There may be seen occa- 

 sionally Blue, Gray and Cuckoo 

 Polands, but they are off-shoots, or 

 the result of crossing, and have 

 no qualifications worthy of par- 

 ticular notice. 



THE LEGHORNS. 



It is said that this breed of 

 fowls was imported from Leghorn, 

 Italy, only a few years since, but 

 has been bred to such perfection 

 in this country that there has been 

 a distinctive breed made, and be- 

 come, as it were, Americanized. 

 They are scarcely known in Eng- 

 land, but are highly prized by 

 American breeders for their many 

 good qualities. They are bred of 

 nearly all colors save black the 

 White, however, receiving the 

 preference. The imported birds 

 are not inferior to the American 

 standard of excellence. The white 

 variety being similar to the Spanish 

 in size and appearance, except in the plumage, which is white, with hackle 

 or neck and saddle feathers slightly tinged with gold. They have proved 

 thus far very hardy birds, suffering from the sudden changes and severe 

 weather of our northern and western climate much less than the Spanish, 

 with which breed many deem them closely allied. They are extremely 

 good layers, and seldom desire to set. The young are easy to rear ; they 

 feather up soon, and at the age of six or eight weeks are miniature 



PAIR OF WHITE LEGHORNS. 



