&4 BIGGIE POULTRY BOOK. 



their rapid growth and bony frame. The standard 

 weights for matured birds are twelve pounds for cocks 

 and nine and one-half pounds for hens, but they 

 frequently exceed these figures. 



Dark Brahmas are shown in colored Plate IV. 

 These are usually a pound lighter in weight than the 

 Light Brahmas, and while they have the Brahma 

 carriage, their shape resembles their Cochin cousins, 

 thus betraying their probable origin in a Light Brahma- 

 Cochin cross. There is a marked difference in the 

 plumage of the male and female. When carefully 

 bred to feather a flock of Dark Brahmas presents a 

 very attractive appearance. They have for many 

 years been highly prized for market purposes, espe- 

 cially by those who grow capons. 



Buff Cochins, colored Plate V, are the old yel- 

 low Shanghais with their stilted legs and long necks 

 reduced by careful breeding. The illustration is 

 a faithful likeness of well-bred Buffs of the present- 

 day type. They have no more neck or length of leg 

 than seems absolutely necessary, their bodies are 

 blocky and covered with an abundance of soft, fluffy 

 plumage of a creamy, golden hue. Their plump form 

 and yellow skin make them popular with market 

 poultrymen. In disposition they are gentle, quiet, 

 even lazy, and are easily restrained. They are only 

 fairly good layers, but are persistent sitters and good 

 mothers. Since their introduction into this country 

 Buff Cochins have probably been used for crossing 

 upon the common stock of farmers to a greater extent 

 than any other single breed. The standard weight of 

 mature birds of the breed is, for cocks, eleven pounds ; 

 and for hens, eight and one-half pounds. 



