STANDARD CLASSIFICATION 



75 



The White Dorking is probably the oldest variety of this breed,while 

 the Silver Gray variety is one of the most popular. In America 

 the Dorkings have not attained any great degree of popularity, 

 due, no doubt, to the fact that other breeds are considered better. 



The Red Caps are well known to fanciers. They have many 

 useful qualities, but are not practically considered among the 

 breeds in America. 



The Orpington has recently come to be one of the most promis- 

 ing breeds of poultry (Fig. 44). The honor of originating this 

 breed belongs to Mr. William Cook, late of England. The direct 

 object in its make-up was to 

 secure a typical English breed 

 with general-purpose qualities 

 to take the place in England 

 which is occupied in this coun- 

 try by the Plymouth Rock and 

 the Wyandotte. The English 

 requirements call for white 

 beak, shanks, and flesh. In 

 America these points are not 

 preferred. The Orpingtons 

 are gaining rapidly in popu- 

 larity among American fan- 

 ciers, and if the present wave 

 of popularity continues they 

 will undoubtedly find a place 

 among the leading general- 

 purpose breeds (Fig. 45). 



5. The Polish class includes 



only one breed, with many varieties. These are admired for their 

 fancy qualities. They have peculiar formations of the skull and 

 nostrils, and are distinctive in having a V-shaped comb. The 

 Polish fowls were originally called Polanders, from the fact that 

 they were supposed to have originated in Poland. English fan- 

 ciers have done much toward improving this breed. The Canadian 

 poultrymen have also taken considerable interest in the breed and 

 in its improvement. One notable feature which fanciers have 

 developed is the size of the crest. This was attained by the 

 breeding of birds which have relatively large knobs on the head, 

 for it was found that the size of the crest and the knob have 

 a direct relation to each other. 



FIG. 45. Black Orpington hen, represent- 

 ing the ideal Orpington type, not yet attained 

 in any other than the black variety. (Photo 

 from Sunswick Poultry Farm.) 



