POINTS OF COCHINS. 143 



i-age for heavy feather at any price came in, and for several 

 years it is to be regretted that vulture-hocks have predominated. 

 We say it is to be regretted ; since long and wide experience 

 has convinced us that with vulture-hock is usually combined 

 a tendency to coarse skin and want of breast. The tail should 

 be as small and low as possible, with very little quill in it com- 

 pared with other breeds. 



The head of a Cochin should be neat and small ; the comb 

 single, very moderate in size, evenly serrated, and fine in 

 texture. Ear-lobes red. Red or dark eyes are best ; yellow 

 eyes generally go with buffs, and are a little more apt than red 

 to become blind. In blacks the eyes are dark. 



The general character of the Cochin is " lumpy," the small 

 wings being deeply tucked in between the cushion or saddle 

 above, and fluff below. 



Whites must be pure in every feather, a sandy or red tinge 

 being a great fault. The shanks yellow ; a greenish tint was 

 once common, but rarely occurs now, and would be a great fault. 



Buffs are of various shades, from very pale, to quite a dark 

 cinnamon colour. The hen should be as nearly alike as 

 possible all over, except that the hackle is a more golden tint 

 always. The cock's breast and under parts match the hen ; his 

 hackle and saddle are richer, with a clearer gold or red-orange 

 character. His wing should be even and rich all over, not 

 grizzled with lighter feathers ; there may be a little black in the 

 tail, but the less the better ; and the inner nights are often 

 more or less black, which is better than white. White in the 

 tails is a great blemish. Buffs tend to breed rather lighter ; 

 and the cock should, therefore, always be chosen of perfectly 

 sound colour on the wings, and if possible a few shades deeper 

 than the hens which really match him. On the other hand, a 

 very much darker cock, or one with very dark wing, usually 

 breeds spotty or rusty chickens. The legs yellow, or with a 

 reddish tin^e. 



