114 



THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 





EMEU SHANGHAI FOWL. 



the same ; the point of the wings and tail black ; 

 breast Imbricated (feathers placed like tiles) ; 

 wing-coverts and primaries white, with black 

 markings ; belly and vent dark gray ; legs yel- 

 low, with a pink tinge, and well feathered. 



" The hen is throughout of a rich silvery gray 

 color, with a considerable mixture of black on 

 the hackle, back, tail, and wings ; her comb is 

 like that of the cock on a reduced scale ; stand- 

 ing erect she would be about twenty inches in 

 height." 



The doubts to which many have given utter- 

 ance as to the title of the Brahmas to be con- 

 sidered a distinct race of fowls, exist among the 

 English as well as American fanciers. Appear- 

 ances there certainly are which, until farther 

 evidence has been obtained on the permanency 

 in the progeny of present distinctive features, 

 should prevent any summary judgment favor- 

 able or otherwise. 



The head, as also in some instances the comb, 

 and the general figure certainly resemble those 

 of the Malay. And as regards plumage, there 



are birds of the Malay and Shanghai families by 

 whose union such colors would probably soon 

 appear. But if, on the other hand, the test of 

 " like producing like" for several generations 

 should be successfully aiforded by the Brahmas, 

 other grounds must be sought for by those who 

 would consign this alleged variety to the com- 

 parative ignominy of a hybrid origin. 



EMEU SHANGHAI. 



Freaks of nature are not uncommon in the 

 fowl species. Among the monstrosities of the do- 

 mestic fowl, which are particularly curious, and 

 worthy of the attention of the student of nature, 

 may be mentioned the Emeu Shaghai. Instan- 

 ces are not uncommon among fowls where the 

 usual form of the feather has given place to the 

 peculiar texture of the Silk fowl, and from this 

 | singularity has obtained the name of the " Emeu 

 Shanghai fowl," from its similarity to the woolly 

 coat of the Australian bird. In the case of the 

 above, which the engraving delineates, it is said 

 there were no indications of any silky cross in 



