148 DIFFERENT BREEDS OF POULTRY. 



Their most marked peculiarity is in the comb, which is 

 totally different from that of any other variety, except one or 

 two which also hail from India or the Indian archipelago. It 

 resembles three combs pressed into one. In a first-class cock, 

 the effect is such as would be produced were a little comb, 

 about a quarter of an inch in height, laid close to each side of 

 his own proper comb, twice as high, the centre one being thus 

 higher than the others. Each division of the comb ought to 

 be straight and even, irregular or twisted combs being serious 

 faults in a show-pen. In the hens, the comb is very small, 

 but the triple character should be equally evident, and the 

 formation is quite plain even when the chicks first break the 

 shell. The comb should not rise high behind. 



When first introduced, single - combed Brahmas were 

 occasionally shown, but are now scarcely ever seen, and never 

 take prizes. 



The neck of a Brahma cock should be if possible fuller in 

 hackle than a Cochin's, and flow well over very wide and 

 flat shoulders. The saddle rises more, till it merges into a 

 nearly upright tail spread more or less out laterally like a fan, 

 and with more feather than a Cochin's. The breast is deep 

 and full, coming down low another point of difference. There 

 is less fluff, and the whole plumage is close rather than loose, 

 while the make and general habits are sprightly and active. 

 Generally speaking, the Brahma is square rather than lumpy ; 

 otherwise there is a great deal of general resemblance, and the 

 same remarks as to leg-feather and vulture-hocks apply. The 

 size is about the same, but the highest weights recorded have 

 been in Brahmas, several cocks having been weighed which 

 scaled from 17 J to 18 J Ibs. 



There are two varieties of Brahmas exhibited, known as 

 Dark and Light. The original birds were midway between 

 them, but the breeds are now quite distinct, and are never 

 crossed. 



