120 LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING — SLCOND SERIES. 



Coiisiilerin;; the shape of the comb and wattles as compared with others of the same kind : 

 It is found that there is a type of uusjmmetrlcal comb quite common iu all fowls, and espe- 

 L'ially conspicuous in single combed fowls, which gives an expression in the fowl corresponil- 

 iQi; to that made by a human profile with retreating forehead and chin. With such a comli 

 iv usually associated a rather long narrow head and a bill that without being abnormally 

 Ion;;, and giving the fowl a " peaked " look, yet conveys an impression of lack of force and 

 stamina. It is commonly held that such fowls are lacking in sexual vigor. I think this 

 iipinioQ requires modification. My observation of such fowls suggests that the reproductive 

 faculties are as active in them as in others, but that their operation tends to exhaust the 

 vitality of the fowl more rapidly, that it Is a lack of general stamina rather than of sexual 

 capacity. The precise understanding of it, however, is not a matter worth quarreling over. 

 It is a quite well assumed fact that such birds are not desirable breeders, and the hens not 

 likely to be as persistent layers as those more symmetrical in these points. 



To the shape of the liill fanciers attach considerable importance. In nearly all breeds a 

 strong, sometimes stout, well curved or moderately curved bill is required. Such a bill looks 

 better than one that falls short of the specifications. Market poultrymen find the strong, 

 stout, well curved bill the mark of a good feeder. E.xperimenters in special fattening methods 

 say birds with such bills are much better subjects for fattening. 



The color of the bill is a point of importance to the fancier. He requires a bill of a cer- 

 tain color in each breed. To the market poultryman the color of the bill is of importance 

 only as it indicates the color of the skin. The bill is almost invariably of the color of the 

 legs, and generally the skin of the fowl corresponds both as to kind and quality of color. 

 Thus In bill and legs one may judge the color of the skin of a fowl without examining under 

 the feathers. 



To the color and expression of the eye breeders attach great importance — far more than a 

 careful comparison of results has ever showed me. It is held that a red eye indicates vigor 

 icnd vitality, especially sexual vitality. It certainly gives au impression of boldness and 

 strength to a bird, but I question whether this impression bas any better basis than general 

 oi'iiiion. We in this country also think while or flesh colored bills and legs make a fowl 

 look weak as compared with one in which bill and legs are a good yellow, but the facts 

 about the breeds do not substantiate this view. 



The Wings and Tail. 



The size and shape of the wings of a fowl would naturally be expected to be in proportion 

 to the development of the breast, which is largely the ^levelopment of the muscles which 

 move the wings. In general the proportion is probably maintained. This we may conclude 

 Irom a comparison of breeds. How closely the correlation of size of wings and development 

 of ijreast is maintained in individuals, I do not think has ever been made the suliject of 

 inquiry. 



We look usually for a similar degree of development in the feathers of the wings and tall 

 of the fowl, and such probably exists, according to a natural law, except where, by artificial 

 si-lection, difTerent degrees of development have been brought about. With general similarity 

 of development there is always much individual variation. This probably has no particular 

 meaning. Indeed, if oue were to attempt to make the supposed meanings or values of difl'er- 

 ent e.vternal characters harmonize with each other he soon arrives at a situation where he must 

 either admit that some thirgi he felt very sure indicated certain qualities are really imma- 

 terial with respect to those qualities, and their simultaneous occurrence merely a coincidence, 

 or, that the whole subject is so complex that he cannot follow it in detail. For instance: We 

 may note in general that a fowl with large tail has large wings. The tall of the male bird is 

 a sexual character, and its development is with some reason supposed to bear some relation to 

 hie sexual development. That It is a measure of such development I would not afiSrm, though 

 it la well known that males with "hen tails," the Standard type In Sebright bantams, are likely 

 to be sterile or quite so. For a male to be well furnished with distinctive male plumage, neck 

 hackle, saddle, bangers, and tall with abundant coverts Is generally supposed to Indicate 

 virility. 



