Black Minorcas. 3^3 



not by any means favourites of the poulterer. This arises from their "stilty" build, making them 

 appear when ahve much larger than they prove to be when stripped of their feathers for sale 

 purposes. The keel of the breast-bone stands high, and their appearance dressed is therefore 

 objectionable from the want of plumpness. This spareness of conformation is still further proved 

 simply by weighing them. The best Spanish cock that was exhibited for many years, and that to 

 the eye looked a very fine one, never weighed more than six pounds ; and several other of our best 

 prize cocks, when similarly tested, proved scarcely as weighty as the one just named. It must be 

 remembered, however, that though they weigh so badly, a fine well-grown Spanish fowl— other 

 points equal — is always preferred in the show-pen. 



" Of late years a very objectionable feature has often appeared among our Spanish fowls, viz., 

 cocks being exhibited with tails carried in such a manner as almost to touch the head, or, as 

 it is commonly called, 'squirrel-tailed;' this defect usually proves hereditary, and destroys the 

 character of an otherwise perfect specimen in competition." 



BLACK MINORCAS, OR RED-FACED BLACK SPANISH.— It is thought by many 

 that this variety is probably the progenitor of the White-faced Spanish, difi'ering as it does chiefly 

 in the face being red, the ear-lobe being white, as in the Spanish. The constant tendency of all 

 Spanish strains to revert to the red face, if neglected, lends much probability to this view. 



Mr. H. Leworthy, of Barnstaple, who has bred most sub-varieties of the Spanish tribe for 

 many years, gives the following notes on this breed : — 



" I believe the Black Minorcas really were imported from the island of Minorca, in the 

 Mediterranean, as a personal friend of mine, a Mr. Wills, told me he had seen them running about 

 there generally. For the last fifty years they have been a great deal kept in the neighbourhood 

 of Barnstaple. They are rather small in size, but very hardy, and good layers, laying nearly 

 ten months in the year. Pullets hatched the latter part of March will generally commence laying 

 the latter part of September, and continue during the winter and on to next moulting season • 

 when they moult very suddenly, and sometimes suffer a great deal. At such times they require 

 attendance and extra food. 



" I never knew them sit. The eggs are white, and very large and numerous. On calculation 

 I have found them average as high as 200 per annum ; hence they will yield a large profit when 

 eggs are one penny each, as they have been of late ; for they eat but moderately, and one penny 

 per week will keep them. Thus — • 



. s. d. 



200 eggs, at id. each i6 8 



Food, 52 weeks, at id. per weelc 44 



Balance of profit . . , . , . 12 4. 



" The comb of the cock is very large, straight, and upright, the spikes being very wide at the 

 base and tapering to the points. The wattles are very large and pendulous ; the ear-lobe long, and 

 as purely white and soft as a Spanish ; but the face is red, with a purple tinge underneath the eye, 

 the cheeks being very thin. The eye should be a very dark colour, and the beak dark horn. The 

 shoulders are wide, legs short, and carriage rather low. The tail is very large and flowing. 



" The comb of the hen falls over one side of the face, so as almost to conceal the whole of it 

 and even the bill ; otherwise she corresponds closely with the cock, allowing for the difference of 

 sex. The plumage both of cock and hen must resemble that of a rook, being a sooty kind of 

 45 



