LANGSHANS. 171 



black Cochin-like fowls from North China, which presented 

 some differences of type from the Cochins previously 

 known, in a greater or less degree.* In some there was 

 the massive fluff and abundant feather of the Cochin, with 

 a loose plumage ; and this inability to see and exhibit 

 consistently any distinct type, obstructed for years the 

 general perception of any such type, which was further 

 hindered by the extraordinary personality and abuse of 

 others displayed by the few earlier breeders of Langshans. 

 Gradually, however, it began to be seen that in the fowls 

 called by this name (that of the locality whence imported) 

 there were both distinctive features and points of a better 

 economic fowl than the Cochin as now bred. The leg was 

 not only black, but showed a crimson tinge between the 

 scales which was characteristic ; the full dark eye (probably 

 derived from Java blood) is very constant ; the tail strongly 

 tended to much greater fulness, and many of the specimens 

 (by no means all) had the prominent breast so lacking in 

 present-day Cochins. There was also, as the fowl became 

 better known, a clearly visible tendency towards smaller 

 bones for the same size of carcass ; to tighter plumage and 

 better laying (good layers tend to tight feather) ; and the 

 flesh was white. The Langshan was seen to have points 

 of its own, and to be an introduction of undoubted value. 



It is to be regretted that the same extraordinary 

 personal jealousies which hindered the earlier recognition 

 of the breed as such still hinder that of a good, or even 



* The fowls now shown as Langshans would not be confounded with 

 Cochins ; but it was very different then. The portraits published in 1877 

 by Miss Croad present the Cochin type in a high degree, and such fowls 

 would be rejected now with indignation as not "pure." Dr. Gabb states 

 that he has bred from Miss Croad's own stock birds both feather-legged 

 and clean-legged, rose-combed and single-combed, and also crested 

 specimens. 



