172 DIFFERENT BREEDS OF POULTRY. 



a few years of this system would breed good white- faced birds, 

 far superior in size and stamina to any of the existing strains. 



There are also white Minorcas, which resemble the preceding 

 in all except that the plumage is white, and very often the legs 

 are white also. They are probably sports from the black, and 

 have similar qualities. 



ANDALUSIANS. These must be considered truly useful and 

 handsome fowls, being, according to general testimony, the 

 hardiest of all the Spanish breeds. The plumage is slaty-blue, 

 in many specimens slightly laced with a darker shade, but the 

 neck hackles and tail feathers are almost glossy black, and 

 harmonise very richly with the rest. Ears white and face red, 

 as in the Minorca. Unlike other Spanish chickens, these are 

 very hardy, and feather rapidly and well, which gives them a 

 great advantage. This breed appears each year to increase the 

 number of its admirers, and has for some years attained also 

 a class of its own at many of the great shows. It is probably 

 due to a cross of white and black, which in all poultry occasion- 

 ally produces this slaty colour. Red, white, or black feathers 

 are the most tiresome faults. It is an excellent layer. 



ANCONAS. Mottled all over, or what is called " cuckoo " 

 colour, and look rather pretty. In all other points they 

 resemble Minorcas, being, however, of a smaller size. 



LEGHORNS. These undoubtedly belong to the same great 

 Mediterranean race, but will be treated of in the chapter upon 

 American breeds. 



Spanish fowls of any kind are very little subject to roup, 

 at least in any marked or specific form, but suffer exceedingly 

 from cold or weu Severe frost especially often attacks the 

 comb and wattles, and if the bird in this state be not attended 

 to, it will be disfigured for life. The proper treatment is to 

 rub the affected parts with snow or cold water, exactly as in 

 the human subject, but not on any account to take the frost- 

 bitten bird into a warm room until recovered. The fowls are 



