232 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



comparative value of different features ; and a scale is, after all, the simplest and easiest way of 

 expressing this. At the same time it will be evident that in proportion to the soundness of any 

 scale ought to be the frequency with which the average decisions of the best judges agree with it ; 

 and, tried by this standard, we have found the scales for most breeds grossly inaccurate ; failing 

 repeatedly in cases where the decisions were evidently perfectly correct. In the descriptions of 

 very many classes both Mr. Tegetmeier's " Standard of Excellence" and the American (which is 

 chiefly founded upon it) are also needlessly complicated. It is quite useless, for instance, to 

 describe every colour of Cinnamon and Buff Cochins in detail, when any shade may be properly 

 shown, provided it conform to certain easily understood rules. We can for this and other reasons 

 follow neither published work ; it is only due to our readers to give adequate grounds for forming 

 a comparison between our own tables for judging and those which have preceded us, and this we 

 can most properly do in the case of the first breed which demands consideration. We shall, 

 therefore, in the case of Cochins give such grounds, comparing at least the elements of the existing 

 scales, and making such remarks as a careful testing of them at many shows may demand ; 

 afterwards explaining how our own tables have been arrived at ; and finally, giving what the same 

 experience has taught us to be correct descriptions and practical and accurate scales of points. In 

 future we shall only quote the American scales when they present distinct peculiarities of their 

 own, or refer to breeds not mentioned in the other ; and shall not refer further to Mr. Tegetmeier's 

 work at all, even to correct its errors, unless these latter are of such importance as seriously to 

 endanger the success of the inexperienced breeder. 



Mr. Tegetmeier's numerical " Standard " for Cochins has at least the merit of simple brevity. 

 As in all other breeds, he adopts for hi- total number of points the figure fifteen, of which he allots 

 one each to head and comb, carriage of wings, legs, and fluff; two points each to general symmetry 

 and condition ; three points to size ; and four to colour. The scales for the three leading varieties 

 are given separately, but are practically identical, the only variation being that in Partridges the 

 four points for colour are separated — two points being given for black breasts in cocks, or pencilled 

 breasts in hens, and the other two points for colour of the remaining plumage. 



The American scales, on the contrary, vary somewhat in the different breeds, as follows : — 



Buff and Cinnamon Cochins. 



Size 20 



Head 5 



Comb 10 



Wings 10 



Legs S 



Fluff ..... 5 



Colour 20 



Symmetry . . • • 15 



Condition .... 10 



Partridge and Grouse Cochins. 



Size 20 



Head S 



Comb ..... 5 



Carriage of Wings ... 10 

 Legs ..... 5 



Fluff 5 



Black breast, thighs, &c., in 

 cock ; breast distinctly pen- 

 cilled up the front in hen . 15 

 Colour of remaining plumage . 10 

 Symmetry . . . IS 

 Condition .... 10 



100' 



White and Black Cochins. 

 Size 



Head . 

 Comb 



Carriage of Wings . 



Legs 



Fluff 



Colour — purity of white or rich 



ness of black 

 Symmetry 

 Condition 



20 

 S 

 5 



10 



5 

 5 



25 



15 

 10 



• This is the American scale of points, as published in the correct editions of their " Standard." We note the fact because 

 Mr. Tegetmeier has copied (from an incorrect and unauthorised edition called in as soon as issued, and expressly overruled by a 

 subsequent convention of fanciers) an absurd scale which adds up to no points, apparently in ignorance of the fact that two 

 correct editions of the American work have since been issued by different publishers. 



