3i6 



TYPES AND BREEDS OF CHiCKEJNb 



this variation in body shape serves as one of the best in- 

 dexes to the several breeds. 



The several varieties of each breed are distinguished one 

 from the other by shape of comb or color of feathers. All 

 of this group have red ear lobes. Nearly all members of 

 the French class have five toes ; this is also true of the Eng- 



Fig. no. — A White Plymouth Rock. 



lish class, the Orpingtons however being a notable excep- 

 tion. Members of the American class have four toes. 



The Asiatics. — Members of this group are of sluggish, 

 phlegmatic temperament, with strong predisposition to 

 broodiness, though their extreme size and heavily feathered 

 legs and toes make them undesirable sitters or mothers. 

 They are poor foragers and indifferent layers. They lay 

 medium to large-sized eggs with brown shells. They are 

 not precocious, seldom reaching maturity before seven 

 and a half to eight months. As indicated by their class 



