358 



The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



laying qualities distinguish nearly all the cross breeds. The Columbian fowl, to which we have 

 referred on a previous occasion, is the most promising of all the Spanish crosses, and might be 

 made into a new and attractive variety with comparatively little trouble, this cross appearing 

 to "hit" well. 



JUDGING SPANISH. — Though certainly the chief, the face is not the only point which 

 requires to be taken into consideration in judging Spanish. Handsome proportion and carriage 

 are of great moment, and so is a good condition of the plumage. A bird well shown as regards 

 these, and with a moderately good face, should decidedly have the preference over any bird in 

 which an extraordinary face is the only point of excellence. The squirrel-tail alluded to by 

 Mr. Hewitt is always to be considered a grave fault, and treated accordingly. 



The face, however, as the principal point, demands the most careful consideration, and various 

 points about it have to be considered, viz., its size or area, its shape, and its quality. Some faces 

 are very long, but narrow ; others are wide, but short ; and a symmetrically proportioned, though 

 rather small face, on a bird nicely got up, will often tell better and win, in preference to more 

 surface less elegantly shaped. Folds in the ear-lobes, as we have already remarked, are a serious 

 fault, more prevalent now than formerly. The comb of the cock, if the judge values his reputation, 

 should have his special attention, with a view to see if it is likely to " fall over " after judging— a 

 fact which can in many cases be detected by handling — and the small holes Mr. Teebay has 

 mentioned, or marks of other " treatment," should always be looked upon with more or less 

 suspicion of such a result. For the rest we must refer to our schedules. 



SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING SPANISH. 



General Characteristics of Cock. — Head and Neck — General appearance of head very large and deep, though 

 aristocratic. Skull large every way, but especially deep in the cheeks ; beak rather long, but not thin ; comb very large, single, 

 perfectly straight and upright, of a handsome outside arch or curve, and with the serrations symmetrically formed and disposed ; 

 wattles vei-y long, fine, and thin in texture ; face large, bare of feathers, and fine in quality ; deaf-ears very long and pendulous, but 

 free from folds, duplicature, or wrinkles, broad and rounded on lower edge ; neck long, carried high or well back, and with flowing 

 hackle. Bcdv — General appearance light and active, large at shoulders, and tapering to tail somewhat like the Game fowl ; back 

 rather round and slanting to the tail ; "wings long and well-developed, but carried tightly to the body ; breast rounded and carried 

 very forward. Legs and Feet — Both legs and thighs long and slender, the hocks perfectly clear ; toes long and thin. Tail — Large, 

 the sickles very arched and carried high, but not so high as to be squir.el-fashion. Size — Medium, averaging about six pounds to 

 occasionally seven pounds. General Shape — Rather slender-looking, as if thin. Carriage — Very upright and strutting, with much 

 movement of the head and neck. 



General Characteristics of Hen. — In all respects resembling those of the cock, except that her comb falls over to the 

 side, almost or quite hiding one side of the face. 



Colour of White-faced Black Spanish. — In both .SVj-«— Beak dark horn-colour ; comb and wattles brilliant red, except 

 the inside of upper part of the wattles and across the throat, which are white. Face or cheeks pure white, resembling the finest 

 dressing and quality of white kid, the white to extend high over the eye in an arched form, reaching far back, clearly behind (or so 

 as to encircle) the true ear, which appears as a black spot on it, and thence turning down, merges into the ear-lobe, which is of the 

 same pure and brilliant white. The face should be as free from folds or projections as possible, and leave the sight perfectly free. 

 Legs and feet a dark leaden blue or almost black. Plumage all over pure deep black, with as much green gloss as possible, 

 especially in the cock (when the gloss is very high it often assumes a purple tinge, especially in the cock's hackles). 



Colour of Black Minorcas. — The same in all points as the above, except that the face or cheeks are a deep crimson red 

 instead of white ; the ear-lobes, however, being white as before. 



Colour of White Spanish.— The same as for the White-faced Black Spanish, except that the plumage is a pure spoUess 

 white, instead of glossy black ; the beak and legs generally remaining dark in this variety. 



Colour of White Minorcas.— /« both Sexes— ^^sk white ; comb, face, and wattles a brilliant red (the face in this variety 



