CHARACTERISTICS OF BREEDS 217 
“sport ” of a Black and White Leghorn cross. The crossing of 
a White Leghorn with a Black Minorca gives a bird not unlike the 
Ancona in colour and temperament. While its origin is ‘“‘ wropt 
in mystery” the Ancona undoubtedly belongs to the family of 
the Leghorn, and while it unites in equal degrees the plumage of the 
Black and White variety, its main characteristics are that of the 
Black Leghorn. The Ancona is a restless, aggressive creature, 
“wild” in nature but not unamenable to kindness. I have had 
an Ancona follow me about almost like a dog, but it had none of 
the docility of the canine species. 
It is a small bird mottled in plumage (black and white) and 
quite suitable for intensive purposes. It requires, however, a 
well-ventilated house and must be kept dry. Few birds mature 
so quickly ; it is usually in full lay at five months and often earlier. 
Laying a white egg, it in many instances rivals the output of the 
Leghorn, and it does not confine operations to the summer months. 
The chickens are hardy and grow at a great pace, and while the 
adult bird is fair eating for the table it should not be bred for that 
purpose. Its weight varies from 4 to 6 lb. 
ANDALUSIANS 
This is a Spanish importation and has been known in England 
some sixty years. It undoubtedly contains a proportion of 
Minorca blood, but is a distinct type with characteristics of its 
own. Like all non-sitting varieties, the Andalusian matures 
quickly, and the precocity of its offspring is remarkable. Cockerels 
have been known to crow when less than two months old. 
It is a useful utility fowl, although breeders have not yet done 
a great deal in the way of selection for egg-production. It lays a 
very large egg and can thrive in confinement, while its slate-blue 
colour marks it out as suitable for town life. Some strains have 
laid up to 200 eggs per annum, and this coupled with its large 
size makes it a good bird for the backyarder. Piullets, well looked 
after, often lay at five months. A good table bird; a cockerel 
will weigh up to 7 Ib., and the pullets 2 Ib. less. 
