458 



The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



additional or Dorking toe behind. Tail — Ratlier small and soft, much resembling that of the Cochin. Siie — Averaging four pounds, 

 but looking larger than it is, owing to the loose feathering. General Shape — Rather short and deep. r<7ma^6-— Rather forward. 



General Characteristics of Hen.— Generally resembling those of the cock, but her crest is more compact and globular 

 Size — About two and a half to three pounds' weight. 



Colour of White Silkies. — /« both Sexes — Comb, face, and wattles dark purple or ripe mullicrry colour. Ear-lobes blue 

 or greyish blue. Eyes generally black or very dark hazel, but sometimes red. Legs and feet deep blue, approaching black 

 Plumage all over white, as pure as possible, a straw tinge being objectionable, though very rarely quite absent. 



Black Silkies, if ever shown, should be admissible in a Silky class. 



VALUE OF DEFECTS IN JUDGING. 



Points of Merit. 

 A bird ideally perfect in shape, colour, style, 

 plumage, carriage, and condition, to count 

 in points loo 



lO 



8 

 i6 



12 



H 



12 

 'S 



15 



Disqualifications. — Any feathers not truly "silky" in any part of the body. Foul-coloured feathers. Vuliure-hocks. 

 There is an increasing tendency to make absence of crest, of fif Ji toe, or of feather on the legs disqualifications ; in a few years 

 they will probably be considered as such. 



De/eets to be Deducted. 

 Bad head and comb . 

 Bad crest ..... 

 Absence of crest 

 Yellow tinge in plumage . 

 Absence of feather on legs 

 Absence of fifth toe . 

 Want of symmetry 

 ,, ,, condition 



SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING SULTANS. 



General Characteristics of Cock. — Head and K^eck — General appearance of head piquant and vain ; beak short, 

 curved, and with Polish nostrils ; comb very small, consisting of two almost imperceptible spikes ; crest very full and neatly arched 

 over ; wattles small ; face covered with thick muffling, reaching under the throat and forming a beard ; deaf-ears small and hidden 

 by the muffling ; neck moderate in length, well-furnished with hackle, and carried very upright and arched. Body — General 

 appeaiance compact and deep ; breast deep and carried very forward ; wings rather large and carried very low, or with the points 

 down ; back straight, and rather drooping towards the tail. Legs and Feet — Thighs rather short, well-furnished with feathers, 

 forming long vulture-hocks, covering the joint ; shanks short and heavily feathered to the ends of the outer and middle toes ; toes 

 straight and thin, witli an extra or Dorking toe behind. 7fl;7— Full and large, with fine sweeping sickles. Size — Rather smaller 

 than Polish, averaging five poimds. General Shape — Deep, but neat and compact. Carriage— Resembling that of the White- 

 crested Black Polish cock, but lower on the leg. 



General Characteristics of Hen.— Resembling those of the cock, allowing for the difference of sex. Average weight 

 three and a half pounds. 



Colour of Sultans.— /« loth Sexes — Beak white. Comb and wattles brilliant red. Deaf-ears immaterial, being covered 

 by the muffling. Eyes red. Legs daik blue or black. Plumage all over a spotless white. 



VALUE OF DEFECTS IN JUDGING. 



Points of 3Perit. 

 A bird ideally perfect in shape, style, colour, 

 and condition, to count in points . 



Defects to be Deducted. 

 Deficiency in size or fullness of crest 

 Comb too large . . 

 Faulty colour 

 Deficient muflling 



,, leg-feather 

 Want of symmetiy 

 ,, ,, condition 



12 



'5 



12 



15 

 IS 



Disqualifications. — Crooked backs, wry-tails, or any bodily deformity. Foul-coloured feathers. Absence ol crest. Legs 

 without feather, or any colour but w hite or pinky white. Some consider that absence of fifth toe or of muffling ought to be 

 disqualifications ; but they certainly are not so with many judges, and most Sultans now shown have little muffling, and much 

 larger wattles than when first bred, while the prize birds shown in our plate were without the fifth toe. 



