236 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



So much for theory. In practice, we found that when thus remodelled, nearly all the 

 exceptions remaining in our note-book, and which we had regarded as irreconcileable with any 

 fixed " standards " at all, now disappeared, falling within the rules. In fact, not one such 

 exception remained in any of the 'breeds we best understood personally ; and hence it appeared 

 probable that with further study even the few left in those we felt less acquainted with might be 

 resolved. We have not, therefore, shrunk from recasting the whole of our scales, and finally 

 present them in the shape they now assume. Using no false mask of "authority," we present them 

 avowedly as our own, on their own merits, with the remark that they do not in some points represent 

 vliat zve think ought to be the standard, or seek to lead the judges to views of our own, but are 

 simply an attenipt to follow them, and tabulate and translate their views, as consolidated, not by 

 argument or " conventions," but by competition and experience on the show-ground. In some 

 points we would wish values to be otherwise ; but have found the figures which would represent 

 these wishes so constantly overruled that we have been forced to modify them. We do not for a 

 moment pretend that errors may not be discovered and pointed out, but we have a very strong 

 confidence that if the scales now presented be tested patiently on the show-ground or in the 

 fancier's yard, they will be found to pronounce with singular accuracy the merits of birds as 

 estimated by the best English authorities. It is thus they should be judged. So different are 

 " ideas " or " parlour-work " to the teaching of actual competition, that a really correct scale will, 

 until tested, often appear actually absurd. But let the reader select from our schedules that for 

 any breed which he thoroughly understands : let him take that schedule and that only, and, 

 before a number of pens, test it by the awards of proved and skilful judges ; and we believe he 

 will find that both their successes, and — if they have made any — equally their mistakes, will give to 

 our figures an emphatic endorsement which no others will be able to claim. Should it be so, he 

 will perhaps be warranted in the conclusion that the schedules for breeds he does not understand 

 may be equally accurate ; and if they thus obtain the confidence of intelligent breeders, the immense 

 anxiety and trouble they have thus twice cost us will be well repaid. 



The plan we have thus adopted may by some be thought less simple than the other. We 

 can only reply, first, that simplicity which stands in the way of accitracy is not a benefit ; and, 

 secondly, that this difference will be found to be more in appearance than in reality. We do not 

 wish any judge to " work by book," but rather have attempted to tabulate in such a form as can be 

 studied at leisure the reasons of correct decisions, and to supply means for forecasting them, or to 

 check erroneous ones. Hence accuracy is all-important ; while at the same time it will be found 

 ■ that the very detail of our tables makes them really easier of application than simpler, because 

 looser figures, can ever be. With these remarks, which will save returning to the general subject, we 

 submit the whole, not for the opinion, but the candid trial of the experienced breeder. As regards 

 our descriptions, we shall make them as concise as we can consistently with accuracy, and adopt one 

 uniform plan throughout the work. 



The following, then, is a carefully revised 



SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING COCHINS. 



General CirARACTERiSTics of Cock. — /Lead and TVi'ir/f— General appearance of head small and good-tempered ; beak 

 curved, rather short, and very stout at the base, resembling in shape a parrot's bill ; comb single, upright, neatly arched, perfectly 

 straight, free from excrescences, fine in texture, and symmetrically notched or serrated ; wattles long, thin, and pendent ; deaf-ears 

 sufficiently developed to hang nearly or quite as low as the wattles ; neck rather shoit and carried some^\'Iiat forward, thickly 

 furnished with hackle, and handsomely ciUTcd, the hackle flowing gracefully over the shoulders. Body — General appearance large 

 and deep ; the back broad but very sliort ; saddle very broad and large, with a gradual and decided rise towards the tail, forming 

 a harmonious line with that member ; wings small and closely clij ped up, the flights being neatly and entirely tucked umler the 



