142 FIR 1ST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 



side of the shank of a fowl of a clean legged breed, and frequently they are so small that it 

 lakes a very careful examination to discover them. Sometimes there is only a stub of a 

 quill, but that is as fatal as more. 



While examining for feathers he should also look for down between tbe toes of the fowl. 

 By " down " is meant, as he will see by referring to the glossary of technical terms, a feather so 

 minute that the quill is not visible to the naked eye. Formerly down disqualified the same as 

 feathers, but now it is cut as a defect. 



The next general disqualification in regard to clipped wings also applies to Plymouth Rocks. 

 If any of the specimens under consideration have had their wings clipped there is ample time 

 now to pull out the clipped feathers and let new ones grow in their place. Even if not full 

 grown at the time of the show the new feathers show the quality of the wing. The reason for 

 disqualifying for clipped wings is that if they are allowed to pass with a cut it is possible In 

 some varieties by clipping a wing to remove a disqualification. 



The next general disqualification which might apply is lopped comb. The glossary defines a 

 lopped comb. Such combs are rarely found now on Plymouth Rocks. 



Next, "decidedly wry tails," that is, the tail carried to one side. This is quite a common 

 defect, and is often unsuspected. A badly wry tailed bird it is no use to exhibit, but one that 

 is only slightly wry, or only occasionally carried wry, an exhibitor will take chances with, for 

 ft is the practice of judges examining such a bird to try to get it to carry the tail straight, and 

 if it will do so for only an instant the tail will pass. 



Next, " crooked backs." This is another fault often unsuspected by even exhibitors of some 

 experience, but easily found by the judge who passes his hand over the back of the fowl. 



Next, " side sprig or sprigs on the comb of single comb varieties." This is a very common 

 defect. 



Next, " decidedly squirrel tail," that is, the tail carried so high as to suggest the habit of the 

 squirrel which carries its tail curving to the back. In short tailed breeds like Plymouth Rocks 

 this defect is rarely conspicuous. 



Next, " blind in both eyes." A very rare defect. 



Next, " in four toed breeds, more or less than four toes on either foot." Not a very common 

 defect. 



Next, " entire absence of main tail feathers." The feathers will not be absent unless they 

 have been removed. They do sometimes get removed accidentally. The disqualification is to 

 cover the case of the exhibitor who would remove them to hide a fault or disqualification. 



This completes the list of general disqualifications for faults which apply in this case. Turn- 

 Ing to Barred Plymouth Rocks, we find the following special disqualifications: 



"Positive white in ear lobes; red in any part of the plumage; two or more solid black 

 primaries, secondaries, or main tail feathers; shanks other than yellow with due allowance for 

 fading with age, dark spots not to disqualify." 



The search for these disqualifications leads to an examination of the ear lobes for white, of 

 the entire plumage for feathers with reddish spots on them, of the stiff feathers of wings and 

 tail, and of the color of shanks and toes. 



In looking for these disqualifications the exhibitor will have given his birds a pretty careful 

 examination, but he is not through yet. On pages 29 and 30 of " The Standard," is a list of 

 cuts for the more common defects, by reference to which he will learn the common faults and 

 find some for which a specimen may be punished so severely that as far as chances of winning 

 are concerned it might as well be disqualified. 



We will not go through these here in detail, but refer only to the more important ones which 

 apply in the case. These refer to irregular barring and to black feathers. Irregular barring is 

 very common, and there are very few Barred Rocks which have not some black or partly black 

 feathers in the plumage, which an inexperienced observer might not notice at all, but which 

 the judge as a rule quickly discovers. It is the common practice of exhibitors to remove these 

 feathers before showing the fowls. I will not attempt here to go into the ethics of the practice, 

 but pass the matter with the remark that it is quite useless for one who leaves them to show in 

 competition, and that as the Standard is worded now their removal is not "faking." 



For any other variety the prospective exhibitor should proceed in the same way, letting no 



