2IO The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



full, and broad. The back so short as to have hardly any length at all, but wide and flat cross- 

 ways, and running oiif almost at once into the saddle. This last is one of the most important points 

 in a Cochin cock ; it should be nearly or quite as broad as the back, begin to rise almost from 

 the very base of the neck, and rise more and more gradually towards the tail, forming no angle 

 with the feathers of that member, but a nice, harmonious, continuous line. The body to be short 

 but very deep, and the " fluff" on the thighs standing out as much as possible in a globular form. 

 This and abundant leg-feather form perhaps the second great point in a good Cochin. The hocks 

 ought to be thoroughly well covered with soft curling feathers, but free from stifl projecting quills 

 (vulture-hock) ; and the shank-feithering heavy, and standing out from the shanks well. The legs 

 to be short, and as wide apart as possible. The tail and wings are also important : the tail of a good 

 Cochin containing hardly any quill, but merely soft and curling feathers ; and the small and short 

 wing being clipped close up to the sides, and the points almost buried between the saddle-feathers 

 above and the fluff below. The breed, in common with Brahmas, is peculiarly subject to what is 

 called a "slipped" wing, or the flight-feathers protruded outside the secondaries instead ui' being 

 nicely tucked under ; this fault greatly diminishes both the value and beauty of a bird, and tells 

 heavily in any good competition. The gait is slow, and the carriage quiet and dignified. 



The hen is of similar conformation as regards shortness, width, and depth of body, the short 

 neck rather tending forward, the high-carried stern, &c. In her the saddle is exchanged, however, 

 for a still more developed "cushion," almost globular in its fulness of outline, and which, with a 

 similarly developed fluff" on thighs, are the chief points in a Cochin hen. The tail is very short, 

 and should just peep through the feathers of the cushion. In other points the conformation is 

 similar. In both sexes the toes should be large, straight, and well spread out. All the points 

 described will be found well exemplified in the portraits which illustrate this chapter. 



The colours bred in Cochins are various shades in Buff" and Cinnamon, Partridge or Grouse, 

 White, Black, and "Cuckoo" colour. There are also Silky Cochins. These we shall now 

 consider in detail. 



BUFF COCHINS. — The Buff" has always maintained its place as the most popular of the 

 Cochin breeds. In describing its characteristics and breeding, we will give in the first place 

 the full notes with which we have been favoured by Mr. Henry Tomlinson, beyond question 

 the oldest fancier who has continued uninterruptedly the cultivation of this variety down to the 

 present time : — 



'• In giving my experience in Buff" Cochins, I will first give the different points required in a 

 first-class bird. I am quite aware there exists much diff"erence of opinion as to the points of 

 this variety of fowl ; but as I still like to see the old style of bird, with the lumpy points that 

 so many consider ugly, I shall endeavour to describe them as nearly as possible according to 

 my own fancy, and perhaps crediting myself with the longest-continued experience, dating my 

 first days among the Cochins twenty years back. It may be worth remark that seeing the 

 first Cochins that ever were exhibited gives me the advantage of knowing what they were then, 

 and what we have arrived at after twenty-three years careful breeding. 



" In colour we have several shades in the Buff Cochin cock, and perhaps the most attractive 

 colour in an exhibition pen is what we call Iciiwn ; I will therefore give first the colour of the 

 Lemon-Buff Cochin cock. The neck, saddle, hackle, and wing and tail-coverts should be as near as 

 possible the colour of a new lemon ; the breast-feathers and fluff a pale buff or light cane- 

 colour ; flight-feathers of wing also a pale buff" or cane-colour, and perfectly free from any streaks 

 or mealiness; the tail-feathers should be light bronze, or buff", rather darker in colour than the 



