BLACK POLISH. 181 



Under the title of Polish fowls might perhaps be included 

 the Crevecceurs, Houdans, and Gueldres,jif not La Fleche ; but we 

 shall for convenience of reference describe these crested fowls 

 in a separate chapter on the French breeds, and confine our- 

 selves here to the other tufted varieties, including the recently 

 introduced Sultans. 



WHITE-CRESTED BLACK. This is the most generally known 

 of all the varieties. The carriage of the cock, as in all Polands, 

 is graceful and bold, with the neck thrown rather back, towards 

 the tail ; body short, round, and plump ; legs rather short, and 

 in colour either black or leaden blue. There should be almost 

 no comb, but full wattles of a bright red ; ear-lobes a pure white, 

 Plumage black all over the body, with bright reflections on the 

 hackle, saddle, and tail. Crest large, regular, and full, even in 

 the centre, and each feather in a perfect bird we suppose of a 

 pure white; but there are always a few black feathers in 

 front, and no bird is therefore to be disqualified on that 

 account, though the fewer the better. Weight from five to 

 six pounds. 



Hen very compact and plump in form. Plumage a deep 

 rich black. Crest almost globular in shape, and in colour like 

 the cock's. We never yet saw a bird in whose crest there were 

 not a few black feathers in front, and we doubt if such were 

 ever bred. Where they do not appear, the crests have always 

 been " trimmed," and in no class does this practice so fre- 

 quently call for the condemnation of the poultry judge. Weight 

 of the hen four to five pounds. This variety is peculiarly 

 delicate and subject to roup. 



BLACK-CRESTED WHITE. There is indisputable evidence 

 that there once existed a breed of Black-crested White Polands; 

 but, unfortunately, it is equally plain that the strain has been 

 totally lost. The last seen appears to have been found by Mr. 

 Brent, in 1854, at St. Omcr, and if the breed still exists at all, 

 we believe it will be found either in France or Ireland. Ita 



