first in the field, namely, the English type of Runner, is thus so 

 plainly one of common-sense and fair dealing that I think no 

 one can candidly consider it without admitting the justice of the 

 claims of the English type. In the ranks of the breeders of 

 American Standard Runners, no one seems to have been satis- 

 fied with the 1910 revision. And, although arguing strenuously 

 for the American Standard bird as the "only" Runner, breeders 

 and judges constantly ignore some of this Standard's demands. 



The way the color question was working out before the 

 last revision was shown very clearly in an exhibit at the Syracuse, 

 N. Y., Fair, the year of the last revision. The Standard then 

 called for "light fawn." Criticisms without number were made 

 on the rating of a certain bird, practically white, which, because 

 of superior type, was given the blue. During the same Fair, 

 in 1911, I stood before the Runner coops, and saw a beautiful 

 bird, as far as type went, with no prize. The bird was almost 

 white. I asked a man who was demonstrating Runners, (evi- 

 dently the leader in the winnings) why this bird was neglected, 

 when at another time a bird of the same sort received first under 

 the same judge. My supposed ignorance was not much enlight- 

 ened, for the smiling reply was: "Oh! that was a mistake." 

 Later, I was told that it was this same bird that won the blue 

 the previous year. Now, they begin to talk of going back to this 

 Standard. 



As the initiated know, it was the loss of the word "light" 

 from the Standard description that made the difference. Yet the 

 columns of the poultry periodicals are still dotted with adver- 

 tisements describing the birds of rabid fighters for the Ameri- 

 can Standard bird, which advertisements claim the owners to 

 have the acme of the American Standard type; yet, they are 

 described as "light fawn throughout." And the Standard calls 

 for "light fawn" in tail of duck only! One breeder has declared 

 in print that the American Indian Runner Standard is a joke, 



37 



