228 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



of no particular beauty, and perhaps scarcely worth the trouble, though a tolerably good pen will 

 generally secure one of the prizes in the class for " any other variety." 



SILKY COCHINS. — Cochins are now and then met with in which the webs of the feathers 

 having no adhesion, the whole plumage assumes a silky or flossy character, like that of the silky 

 fowl. It usually occurs quite accidentally, and in every case we have met with the variety has 

 been Buff. By careful breeding the character can be transmitted, but we have only known one 

 case in which there had been this hereditary character, the others having been of accidental 

 occurrence. Such birds are sometimes called " Emu" fowls. 



Except as mere curiosities, Silky Cochins are not -worth perpetuating. They are generally, 

 when handled, really very small in the body, rarely exceeding six pounds, though their loose 

 plumage makes them appear little inferior to others in size. This loss of weight we believe to be 

 owing to the want of protection from cold and wet which they have to contend with, and in 

 consequence of which they are generally rather delicate. When wet no fowls can look more trulj' 

 miserable ; but if thoroughly clean and dry, there is something unmistakably attractive about 

 them, which is quite enough to account for their having a few admirers. We are not at present 

 aware of any established strain of this variety. In colour and all other points they ought, if 

 shown, to present the proper characteristics of ordinary Cochins. 



We add a few general remarks on the breeding and exhibition of Cochins generally, to 

 supplement the notes of the eminent breeders who have already written on their special varieties. 

 And first, the observation of Mr. Tomlinson as to the necessity of commencing with first-class 

 stoclT^s to be understood within certain limits, and chiefly with especial regard to the points of 

 head and colour, both of which are strongly hereditary. In commencing a strain, purity and 

 soundness of colour in Buffs or Whites, and the requisite marking in Partridge birds, must be 

 secured regardless of cost if success is hoped for ; and so must the neat and straigJit comb, which is 

 so indispensable to triumph in the show-pen. Any fault in these points will be surely perpetuated ; 

 but in points of shape and size more latitude may be allowed ; and in particular, a small, compact, 

 short-bodied cockerel, with very broad and high saddle, and heavily hocked, but which is perfectly 

 correct in colour, ma}' not unfrequently be secured at a moderate price ; and if put with long- 

 backed, scantily-feathered hens, much too narrow for the true Cochin type, will often "fill up" the 

 outlines of the progeny, and produce really first-class stock, from which with a little care a valuable 

 strain may be formed and established. The vulture-hocks will give little trouble if judgment be 

 exercised ; they will infallibly reappear to a certain extent in the third generation, but selection 

 will banish them without any loss of feather, except in occasional instances which need give no 

 concern to the breeder. As Mr. Hewitt trulj' obser\-es, however, " vulture-hocked fowls of an}' 

 breed are invariably coarse in the skin — a great objection to poulterers;" hence hocked birds 

 should not be employed oftcner than absolutely necessary to restore lost feather. 



We may remark that not only the fancy vaUie in many respects, but even the economic or 

 utilitarian value of Cochins, can in a great degree be determined by the quality of the plumage, and 

 especially of the " fluff." We do not mean colour, so much as texture. If this be coarse and wiry, 

 the meat will almost invariably be found inferior and stringy, whereas a fine downy plumage is 

 generally accompanied by delicacy of flesh and good laying qualities. 



Another very important point in choosing stock has never, we believe, been heretofore observed, 

 and we are indebted for it, as for so many other practical notes to this chapter, to Mr. Hewitt. " I 

 should like," he sa}'s, " to direct your attention to a fact at which, so far as I am aware, no one as 



