MlNORCAS. 2O I 



seven pens averaged 184 ; another averaged 180, with 

 several birds, 200. 



Several importations can be traced, including one by 

 Sir Thomas Acland about 1834, from which several strains 

 descend ; but there is evidence that the breed was already 

 in Cornwall and Devon, owing to that locality's Spanish 

 trade. The breed differs from the Spanish (though it was 

 itself very generally known as " the black Spanish " for 

 many years) in having the face red, the comb considerably 

 larger and higher, and the wattles also longer and more 

 pendulous ; the ear-lobes only are white, and much smaller 

 than in Spanish ; the tail is larger and more flowing ; the 

 body larger and more massive ; and the plumage with less 

 green gloss. The head must be broad, or the high comb 

 cannot be carried firmly ; and this should be evenly arched 

 with a few large spikes. The ear-lobe should be narrow, 

 called " almond "-shaped. The hen's comb falls over, and 

 her lobes are rather more rounded. 



To preserve this fine breed will require some caution 

 against exaggerated judging, of which there have several 

 times been symptoms, but which so far has provoked re- 

 action. At times quite exaggerated combs and wattles 

 are preferred, so large as to tax the bird's strength and 

 hinder feeding ; once attempt was made to enlarge and 

 broaden the ear-lobe as in Spanish, which even brought 

 traces of white face ; the last fad was to prescribe " five " 

 spikes in the cock's comb. These tendencies appear to be 

 now checked, but not until perceptible harm had been done 

 to size, hardiness, and laying. To check these evils, pro- 

 bably, the breed was crossed with Langshan or Orpington 

 blood, of which more than half the pens at some shows have 

 shown traces, in stature, lustre, size of shank, scaling on the 

 shank, and even the crimson tinge. This has done good 

 upon the whole, and the cross, though often unknown, 



