RULES FOR JUDGING 311 



awards to the birds receiving the highest score. However, 

 the direct comparison system of judging is coming into 

 general use, especially in the largest and best exhibitions 

 of the country. 



Breed Requirements. — Before judging the birds either 

 by the score card system or by direct comparison it is neces- 

 'sary to know the requirements of conformation, color, 

 feather markings, and carriage of each variety. It is also 

 necessary to know what the customary defects are for each 

 variety. The beginner should consult the various breed 

 books and should use a score card. This card serves the 

 double purpose of aiding the judge to keep in mind the 

 several defects he should look for in each breed and of 

 furnishing to the owner a record of the judge's reasons 

 for putting the bird in any particular section. 



Rules for Judging. — Some of the rules which it is neces- 

 sary for the beginner in poultry judging to fix in his mind 

 are : 



a. That place of origin, temperament, and purpose 

 make the class. 



b. That shape and size make the breed. 



c. That color and marking of feathers and form of comb 

 make the variety. 



The four principal class groups into which all standard 

 varieties of poultry are divided, are as follows : 



Group I. The Mediterranean class. 



Group II. The American, English, and French classes. 



Group III. The Asiatic class. 



Group IV. The Oriental and Exhibition classes. 



The Mediterranean Class. — It is supposed that this 

 class originated in Southern Europe along the shores of the 

 Mediterranean Sea. 



