BRAHMA MALE SHAPE. 



Criticisms of Foremost Judges and Brahma Breeders on a Composite Ideal From Live Models, as 



Drawn by Franklane L Sewell-A Collection of Opinions That Are in Themselves 



Authority on the Ideal Shape of a Standard-bred Male Brahma. 



Prom the Reliable Poultry Journal. 



POLLOWING are presented numerous criticisms of 

 Artist Sewell's best individual conception of Stan- 

 dard Brahma male shape. These criticisms, offered 

 in all good feeling, present strong evidence of a dis- 

 position on the part of judges and breeders to advance the 

 true interests of Poultry Culture. In more ways than^o'tie 

 they prove the existence of a sincere desire to bring about 

 a greater uniformity of ideals in breeding and judging. We 

 have received scores of letters expressing a deep interest in 

 this series, and thanking the judges, breeders, theartist and 

 the R. P. J. for the parts taken in presenting same. 



D. M. Owens, Tennessee, judge and breeder: "Comb 

 should extend further back and conform more to shape of 

 the head at rear. Skull hardly full enough over eyes. Wat- 

 tles rather small. The head has too much of a feminine 

 appearance. The concave sweep of back commences too 

 near cape. It should slope slightly downward to the hips, 

 then rise in concave with the saddle to tail. Saddle and 

 tail both carried too high. Sickles should stand a, little 

 more upright. Little too full or loose feathered about the 

 thighs. The bird appears rather short from front to rear, 

 but only slightly so." 



Theo. Hewes, Indiana, judge and breeder: "I 

 like this bird . He is extra good. Head might be a little 

 broader above the eyes, and he might stand just a trifle 

 longer neck. I would fan the tail a little, making it more 

 upright, and raise the sickles so as to show about half their 

 length, making them more prominent. Too much covering 

 to thighs. Let's keep away from Cochins in this breed. 

 I like plenty of feathers on their feet, but not too much 

 on the rest of legs." 



F. W. Hitchcock, Colorado, judge and breeder: "The 

 drawing of Light Brahma male submitted to me for criti- 

 cism is, I consider, one of Mr. Sewell's best efforts. I can 

 find but little to criticise about it, and what little there is 

 is of minor importance. The comb is just a trifle short, mak- 

 ing it look a little stubby, but in all other respects the draw- 



ing comes up to my ideal of correct BTahma shape. It is- 

 surely one of Mr. Sewell's masterpieces." 



H. S. Babcock, Rhode Island, judge and breeder: 

 "The comb is not clean cut enough fey- .perfection; it might 

 come farther back with advantage. "TaOjrlght for cockerel," 

 not full enough for cock. Thighs do not stand out clearly 

 enough and foot feathering is rather more profuse than we 

 see in the best birds in the shows.- A bit of tendency to- • 

 wards the Cochin type is shown in this cut. The bird lacks- 

 the vivacity that the Brahma exhibits. Still it is a very- 

 good illustration." 



Charles McClave, Ohio, judge and breeder: "Symmetry- 

 good. Head outlines good. Comb rather small compared 

 with size of bird; serrations should commence a little nearer 

 to beak. Wattles and ear-lobes are good. • Neck shape, 

 front and rear, is about right. Back," length, medium, 

 good, but not high enough at base of tail. The back should 

 show a little more concave sweep. Breast and wings are 

 good. Length of tail is all right, but it looks a trifle 

 pinched. Legs and toes have plenty of feathering, but ap- 

 proach Cochin shape. General outlines are almost above- 

 criticism, forming a typical Light Brahma male." 



W. S. Russell, Iowa, judge and breeder: "The drawing 

 of male shows a bird too short in body, or in other 

 words, there is not enough of him behind the legs. 

 Fluff is too scanty; back too short, according to my liking. 

 I also think the head is too small and tail too short." 



Sharp Bubterfield, Canada, judge and breeder: "I 

 herewith submit the changes I think necessary in the 

 drawing of Light Brahma male. The head is alto- 

 gether too weak — too much on the feminine order. Where 

 there is such a head as the one portrayed we generally find 

 wattles almost void. The back is much too short and the 

 tail too much pinched. The breast is quite full enough in 

 front, but lacks depth, and the body is not deep enough nor 

 long enough for the ideal Brahma of to-day. The rage in 

 the east is for birds of great substance." 



