EXPRESSION IN HEAD CHARACTERS. 119 



Head Characters. 



Fowls differ as much in size, shape, and expression of the head as in size and shape of body 

 and color of plumage. Marked differences in head types may be found in the same variety, 

 and even in birds of the same strain or stock. We are j-o accustomed to consider the head as a 

 mere base for its appurtenances, beak, comb, earlobes, wattles, crest, beard, that it is only in a 

 very few breeds that size and shape of the head proper are given particular consideration. 

 The head least adorned with superfluiiies in flesh and feathers is the most expressive of quality, 

 for in it the correlation with the other parts of the fowl is discernible, while a head profusely 

 ornamented does not show for what it is. Undoubtedly the character is there, but the append- 

 ages are so much more prominent that it is not readily observed. 



This lack of discernment of the character of the head proper is not, however, a serious mat- 

 ter. For as the head expresses with reasonable accuracy the character of some points of 

 structure of body and of constitution, its appendages generally partake of the character of 

 head and body, and by their greater conspicuousness show them even more unmistakably to 

 those versed in their meanings. The com I), the wattles, the earlobes, the face, the beak, the 

 eyes, all tell the shrewd observer something worth while for him to know. I would not be too 

 positive in making a statement of this kind, but I think that though they may not always realize 

 it, most critical judges of a fowl by external appearances are more influenced by the character 

 of the head of the fowl than by the shape of the body, that tbe expression and impression on 

 their eye of the head of the bird has an influence on their judgment of it as a whole which is 

 not often changed as they pass the other sections in detail. To the average poultryman of 

 tolerably keen perceptions, crests and beards have less meaning as expressing tbe general char- 

 acter of the fowl, but to the breeder of crested and bearded fowls who has studied them closely 

 they mean much. Indeed it is in perception and appreciation of tbe correlation of the parts 

 and qualities of fowls with details which ordinarily escape notice that the skillful breeder ha 

 his greatest advantage over others. 



I do not think it can be shown that the size of combs, wattles, earlobes, crests, and beards 

 has any special relation to any practical quality. Large combs are sometimes said to indicate 

 laying capacity, but I have not found it so in individuals, nor will a comparison of breeds dif- 

 fering in size of comb substantiate this idea. 



The shape of the comb we must consider in two ways : First, as to the kind single, rose, 

 pea, leaf, It is often said that rose and pea combed fowls stand cold better than those with 

 single combs. This is but a half truth. It depends as much on the size as on the shape of the 

 comb, and we have to consider also the development of the wattles, with relation to suscepti- 

 bility to cold and frost. A very large fleshy rose comb that has no spike, is lumpy and only a 

 "rose comb" because it is not anything else, is often associated with very long, pendulous wat- 

 tles which freeze as quickly as the wattles of a large single combed fowl. A rose comb of the 

 type generally preferred in Wyandottes is usually associated with a medium sized wattle not 

 readily affected by cold. A single combed fowl having wattles of the same size generally has a 

 comb low enough not to be affected by frost at any temperature that would not affect the 

 wattles. We must count size of comb then as a point indicating in a general way the capacity 

 of u breed of fowls to resist cold. 



When it comes to tbe matter of individual resistance to cold, the comb, unless quite incon- 

 spicuous, becomes a very accurate indicator. Observe your fowls on any raw cold day, and 

 see how some combs are bright as usual, others slightly discolored, and others quite blue or 

 purp.e. The discoloration of some combs may indicate only constitutional susceptibility to 

 cold, or it may mean that the fowl is at the time out of condition and therefore unusually su>- 

 ceptible to climatic influences. 



The texture of the comb is also a point of importance. The fancier prizes fine texture in 

 the comb for itself; the poultry grower because he considers it an indication of fineness of tii>er 

 in the meat of the fowl. The carriage of the comb in single combed fowls conveys Impressions 

 which probably are misleading, though I would not care to dogmati/e on this point. A cornl> 

 that is erect and smooth looks strong and gives the fowl an appearance of strength. A coml> 

 that bulges, bends, lops or wrinkles suggests weakness, just as any lack of symmetry does, but 

 1 doubt whether any ratio dependent upon such variations could be established. 



