Characteristics of Dark Braiimas. 255 



frequently rather droops over ; but as true Brahmas occasionally present this conformation, tso 

 much stress must not be laid upon it. 



Light Brahmas, like White Cochins, need plenty of shade, to keep the cocks from turning off 

 to that objectionable straw-colour we have already referred to. To show them to perfection they 

 also need a country grass-run ; and if in such circumstances, need no preparation for show 

 whatever, beyond washing their heads and legs. They will however keep much cleaner than 

 White Cochins in the smoke of a town, being harder-feathered birds. 



Our portraits are taken from some sketches and photographs of a splendid pair of American 

 birds, which combined the grand size of the Transatlantic strains with unexceptionable colour and 

 shape. The cock won not only in his own class, but as the "best Brahma on exhibition" at 

 Philadelphia in 1871 ; also first prize at Pittsburg in January, 1872 ; and has been pronounced by 

 good judges one of the best, if not the bejt ever bred in America. Both birds have won many 

 other prizes, and the hen when in good condition weighs nearly thirteen pounds. 



DARK BRAHMAS.— The head and neck of a Dark Brahma cock arc very similar to the 

 Light, the head being white and the hackle striped, but somewhat more so than in the Light breed. 

 The back is nearly white, a little black appearing here and there ; while between the shoulders the 

 black ought to predominate, but is nearly hidden by the hackle flowing over it. The saddle- 

 feathers are like the hackle, silvery white, striped with black. Many breeders prefer only a little 

 stripe in the hackle and saddle-feathers, and such are the most showy birds for exhibition, while 

 they will often breed good pullets if other points are correct ; but, on the whole, we greatly prefer 

 a good distinct dark stripe in every feather. As the feathers approach the tail the stripes get 

 broader, till they merge into the tail-coverts, which are rich glossy green-black, with a margin or 

 lacing of white. The effect of this is very beautiful, while a " mossy" appearance of the coverts is 

 not only unpleasant to the eye, but is inferior for breeding pullets. The tail itself is pure rich 

 black with a green gloss, any white being a great blemish. This fault is hereditary in some 

 otherwise good strains, and is, we believe, often caused by a remote cross with the Dorking ; for in 

 many cases where we have noticed it, we have seen other undeniable signs of the Dorkmg taint : 

 but this will not account for many cases, where the blood is undeniably pure. The objection to 

 white in the tail does not, however, apply to a silver margin or edge to the top sickles, which we 

 have already described as proper to the cock in the Light breed, and is frequently found also in the 

 best specimens of the Dark. When perfect this is a very great beauty, and very frequently 

 accompanied by a fair black-cock type of tail. Sometimes, instead of a green lustre to the black 

 of the cock's wings and tail, the feathers show fiirple reflections. As a rule such birds breed 

 beautiful dark pullets, and the purple shade is not to be considered a fault. 



The wing-coverts are black, forming a distinct black bar across the middle of the wing, while 

 the ends of the secondaries, or the feathers which appear when the wing is closed, have a large 

 black spot on the end, making the top edge of the wing also appear black. The remainder of the 

 secondaries are white on the lower half and black on the upper, but the black of course is not seen. 

 The flights are all black except a narrow fringe of white on the lower edge. There is often a little 

 brown or bronze towards the top of the " bar," and at the end of the secondaries. As hereafter 

 explained, this is often very useful in breeding dark pullets, and if not too plentiful is not to be 

 considered a great defect, but if very conspicuous is almost a disqualification. There is also often 

 a portion of brown on the shoulders and back ; in such positions the colour should be condemned, 

 being both unsightly and objectionable for breeding. 



The brcabt may be either black, or black very slightly and evenly mottled with white ; the 



