BREEDING FOR COLOR AND PLUMAGE MARKINGS = 263 
Breeding for desired solid color is by selection and grading, 
not by the formation of new colors from crossing of birds of differ- 
ent colors. The latter procedure would result in progeny with the 
characteristic colors of both sire and dam arranged in motley 
array; while by selection through many generations it is possible 
to attain different degrees of color and shade, as, for example, 
variations in red and buff. 
Under color is of great importance in fixing external color, for 
it affects the outside color by toning it down or intensifying it, 
according to the contending combinations of outer and under color. 
Another interesting factor is that of color harmony or the 
relation between certain colors, also their association with definite 
colors in other body parts. For example, the Rhode Island Red, 
or any red bird, “with stripe in the saddle or hackle is invariably 
accompanied with yellow shank and skin. Were the same plumage 
to be combined with willow-colored or blue shanks, a lack of color 
harmony would immediately be noticed. 
The same is true with all black plumage. For example, in the 
Minorca and Black Langshan the black feathers are always asso- 
ciated with blue-black shanks and white skin, since any other 
color (yellow, for instance) would produce a lack of color harmony. 
Furthermore, these relations seem to be very firmly fixed, and even 
after repeated trials it is extremely difficult to substitute the 
opposing color. There are certain black breeds which have yellow 
shanks, yet this association is accompanied with a peculiar sheen 
which might be described as a bronze tinge, while the true 
black color of blue-shanked birds has a greenish sheen. There 
might be named numerous combinations of colors which seem 
to be fixed. 
“ Brassiness and creaminess”’ are defects which may be due 
in greater or less degree to one or more of the following three causes: 
An unequal distribution of black pigment in plumage of breeds 
which have a slate under color of dark stripes on saddle or hackle 
(for example, Columbian Wyandottes). This effect is especially 
noticeable in newly established breeds before color pattern has 
become thoroughly fixed. In its earlier stages this effect is termed 
“smoky,” but the cloudiness later changes to a slight yellowish 
tinge. Such a defect can soon be bred out by fixing the color type. 
Creaminess or brassiness may also be caused in white breeds 
by an excess of fat, induced in many cases by the feeding of too 
much corn and corn meal. Not that the corn necessarily causes 
, 
