COCKER S MANUAL. 



THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 



Up to this point we have given a brief exposition of many subjects 

 intimately connected with the breeding and management of Game 

 Fowls, studiously avoiding everything uninteresting to the cocker 

 and fancier, yet evidently the Manual will hardly be complete if a 

 briefspace were not devoted to those breeding standard or exhibition 

 birds, and for their benefit we give the latest revised Standard of 

 Excellence. 



BLACK-BREASTED RED GAMES. 



DISQ UALIFICATIONS. 



Color of legs or plumage not matcliing, when shown in pairs or trios; crooked 

 backs; wry tails; malformed breasts ; duck-feet; adult cocks not dubbed, any arti- 

 ficial coloring; trimming or plueking foul feathers. 



THE COCK. 



Head : Very rich, dark red, long, thin ^nd tapering, and very 

 strong at its junction with the neck. Beak, willow or dark horn-color, 

 slightly curved, and strong at the base. 



Comb, Wattles and Ear-lobes : Comb, in chickens that have not 

 been dubbed, single, small and thin, low in front, serrated, erect and 

 straight ; mature birds to be neatly dubbed, and free from warty ex- 

 crescences, small feathers, or ridges on the edges. Wattles, in chick- 

 ens, brilliant red, very thin, and smooth in texture. Ear-lobes, rich 

 red, small, and smooth in texture. 



Eyes : Large and prominent, bright, clear, deep bay, with a quick 

 and fearless expression, and perfectly alike in color. 



Neck : Rather long and nicely arched, the hackle being rich red, 

 short and close, and free from black stripes. 



