COCHINS. 167 



heavy feather at any price came in, and for many years it 

 is to be regretted that vulture-hocks have predominated. 

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

 perience has convinced us that with vulture-hock is usually 

 combined a tendency to coarse skin and want of breast. 

 The fashion was resisted in America for years after it had 

 conquered in England, and the " English type " is barely 

 tolerated there even now. The tail should be as small and 

 low as possible, with very little quill in it compared with 

 other breeds. The general character of the Cochin is 

 " lumpy," the small wings being deeply tucked in between 

 the cushion or saddle above, and fluff below. 



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. 



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. This variety requires green shade to show it 

 in perfection, and maize must be rigidly avoided, as it 

 promotes a straw tinge. Any tendency to straw in the 

 hackle of a bird kept in fair shelter must be rejected in 

 breeding-stock. 



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 richer and 

 deeper 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 



