4o8 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



have repeatedly observed, when our schoolboy resources compelled the confinement of our ambition 

 to the rearing of mongrel chickens, that the crested birds virere almost always the tamest of the lot, 

 often flying for yards in the air to perch on our young shoulders, or jumping up on the wrist or into 

 the lap to be caressed. Polish, in fact, seem " made to be petted," and we can most thoroughly 

 recommend them as lady's fowls, provided only they be kept dry and clean. 



To cross Polish is to lose in a great degree their most distinguishing characteristics. The 

 French breeds, however, prove the advantages which may be derived from the juicy flesh and fine 

 laying qualities of the race ; and if beauty be not ai object, we can state that a cross with the 

 Dorking produces a fowl which is most delicious eating, while also a good layer and hardy. 



The strains of Polish being limited in numbers, and the constitution rather weak — the excess 

 of structure, as in the Dorking toe, having also probably something to do with it — Polish are 

 peculiarly subject to such malformations as wry-tails or curvature in the spine. A bird should never 

 be purchased therefore, or bred from, without being most carefully felt in the hand.s, as well as 

 inspected ; and if one hip-bone be felt under such examination to be in the least higher than the 

 other, the fowl should be rejected. Faulty bills are also rather common in the chickens. By a 

 little care in the selection of breeding-stock, however, and good healthy bringing-up of the chickens, 

 these malformations may to a great extent be avoided. 



There is one point to be attended to in rearing Polish chickens. As their feathers grow, fowls 

 clean and preen them with the bill, thus removing the horny sheath at the proper time, and allowing 

 the feather to expand. The crest, however, cannot be thus reached ; and in many really fine and 

 healthy birds the feathers would never burst the sheaths in proper time if left unaided. Hence, it 

 is necessary at the right period to remove the sheath with the thumb-nail, when the feather in a few 

 hours expands to its full beauty. It is this tendency to remain too long in quill which causes the 

 propensity to eating the quills both our able contributors have alluded to. 



JUDGING POLISH. — Polish fowls are not very often trimmed except in the crests and combs, 

 which last are often amputated if too conspicuous. This fraud can generally be detected, and as it 

 is unnecessary in well-bred birds, should of course be visited with the most stringent penalties. 



In all the varieties, /z</«fjj of crest is as important as the size, and a moderate-sized, but full 

 and symmetrical top-knot should have the preference over one which is larger, but hollow and 

 straggling. In the Spangled breeds regularity and richness in the lacing are, of course, very great 

 points ; but in all the varieties a general " neatness " of form and make-up are to be taken into 

 consideration. The judge should also have a very careful eye to those malformations, which in this 

 family are so common. 



SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING POLISH. 

 ' General Characteristics of Cock. — Head and jV^*— General appearance of head lively, but somewhat foppish. Beak 

 moderate and well-proportioned ; comb imperceptible or nearly so ; wattles absent in the Bearded or Spangled varieties ; long, thin, 

 and pendent in the others ; deaf-ears small and round ; crest round, large, and as full as possible, the feathers being very similar 

 to those in the hackle of each sex respectively ; beard (in the bearded varieties) also as full and large as possible ; neck moderate in 

 length, carried very upright, and arched in a pretentious manner, and full of hackle. Body — General appearance light and neat ; 

 rather wide at shoulders and narrow at saddle ; wings well-proportioned and neatly carried ; breast round, full, and carried very 

 forward. Legs and /i,?/— Thighs short, shanks rather short, perfectly clean, and slender ; toes medium length and thin. Tail 

 — Very ample, both in size and furnishing, carried nearly but not quite upright, and on no account squinel-fashion or over the 

 back. Size. — Ratlier small, averaging about six pounds. General j'/ia/f— Rather slight, but compact and neat. Carriage—Very 

 strutting and vain. 



General Characteristics of Hen.— C^-w/— In her case very compact and well filled up, giving a kind of " solid " 

 appearance. 7ai7— Carried rather fanned or spread, so as to show the spangling well. In other respects same as in the cock, with 

 the usual sexual differences. AW— Rather small, averaging four pounds and a half. General Shape— Wery neat and pretty. 

 Carriage— Very coquettish, and as if inquisitive. 



