BREEDS OF CHICKENS. 83 



also a reputation for general usefulness. The Silvers 

 are shown in colored Plate II. They are compactly 

 built and make a fine appearance as dressed poultry, 

 at any age. A mature male should weigh eight and 

 one-half pounds, and a hen two pounds less. 



Rhode Island Reds are excel- 

 lent general purpose fowls; their 

 characteristic rich coloring is well 

 shown in colored Plate XI. 



Buckeyes are a dark, rich, 

 velvety red, have pea combs, and 

 weigh : Matured male, nine pounds; 

 matured female, three pounds less. "*%t- ''- > 



Dominiques have rose combs, 



a neat, trim shape and a gray, BLACK JAVA PULLET 

 hawk-colored plumage. They are the oldest American 

 breed aud from a cross of these, with a larger breed, 

 the Plymouth Rocks originated. 



The second general division is the Asiatic class, 

 which includes Brahmas, Light and Dark ; Cochins 

 Buff, Partridge, White and Black ; Langshans Black 

 and White. 



Light Brahmas, illustrated in colored Plate III, 

 are the largest of all the breeds. They are a modifi- 

 cation, by careful breeding for many years, of the old 

 Brahma Pootras. As now bred they are a noble and 

 attractive fowl and have also great practical merit. 

 As layers they equal, if they do not surpass, any large 

 fowls. For making heavy broilers at eight and ten 

 weeks of age they are among the very best. After 

 they are three months old they do not make first-class 

 dressed poultry until well matured, on account of 



