SINGI,B-COMB MINORCA AND DARK BRAHMA. 33 



fixed Upon others. Although not typical of the Malay breed (which has a 

 small " walnut" comb), it often appears when two walnut combs are bred 

 together.* The pea comb i^ound also in certain derived races, particu- 

 larly in the Brahma, and from this it has been engrafted on various other 

 breeds, notably on the Plymouth Rock of America and on the so-called 

 "Buckeyes." f 



4. EARiyOBB Color. — Two main color types of earlobes are found in poul- 

 try, red and white. The former occurs in the Jungle fowl, Aseels, Indian 

 Games, Javas, Dorkings, Cochins, Brahmas, and other foundation stock ; con- 

 sequently it must be regarded as the more primitive. The white earlobe 

 seems to have arisen in the Mediterranean type. It finds its highest expres- 

 sion in the White-faced Black Spanish. It has become a constituent of the 

 Houdans and I^a Fl^che among the French breeds and of the Hamburghs. 



5. Iris Color. — Among poultry this ranges from a gray or pearl through 

 yellow to orange, red and bright red on the one hand, or through a dirty 

 red or bay to brown and black on the other. The red type seems to belong 

 to the descendants of the Jungle fowl ; it is found in the Jungle fowl, in 

 most Games, in most Mediterranean breeds, in most French fowl, in the 

 Dorkings, and in many of their derivatives. The lighter colors, yellow and 

 pearl, are found in the Aseels, Malays, Indian Games, often in the Brahmas, 

 attesting their origin from the Aseel group, also in many Cochins, where it 

 is said to be "very hereditary " (Wright, 1902, p. 320). The dark colors — 

 hazel, brown, and black — are found in certain Game fowl of dark plumage, 

 the Brown-Red Games, the Birchen Games and the Black Sumatras. They 

 are found also in the Black Javas of America, in the I/angshans, and sometimes 

 the, Orpingtons. Both the I,angshans and Orpingtons have derived their 

 eye color from the Java. Dark-brown eyes are found among the Mediter- 

 ranean fowl only in the Black Minorca which we have to do with here. 

 Whence acquired by the Minorca is uncertain ; possibly indirectly from the 

 Java. Finally, a perfectly black iris is found in the Silkies, where it is 

 probably due to the melanic sport that has made also skin and connective 

 tissue black. 



6. Foot Color. — This varies with the general skin color. The primitive 

 color of the Gallus bankiva group is an olive, commonly called " willow." 

 This is found in ordinary Game fowl. The Aseel- Malay-Indian type has 

 yellow feet. To this type belong the yellow feet of the Brahma and the 

 Cochin and doubtless also of the American Dominiques, which have trans- 

 mitted it to the Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. Finally, the I^eghorns 

 have bright yellow feet. 



By increase of the black pigment in certain birds of dark plumage there 

 have been produced from the willow foot the blue, blue-black, and leaden blue 



* Wright, 1902, p. 325. 



t American Standard of Perfection, 1905, p. 79. 



