CHARACTERISTICS OF BREEDS 227 
are lots of White Wyandottes that are anything but good layers, 
but when a good strain is found, and there are now plenty of them 
which lay good-sized eggs in abundance, they make an ideal general 
purpose fowl. Most egg-farmers concentrate on the White 
Leghorn, but it would probably be wiser to include the Wyan- 
dotte to the extent of at least one-third of the stock. It is a quiet, 
comfortable sort of bird, and does equally well in confinement 
or free range. Great care must be taken to get a prolific 
laying strain. There are a large number of varieties, including 
the Golden, Silver, Partridge, Buff Columbian, Silver-Pencilled, 
Blue-Laced and Black. Of all these the White has done best in 
England, where breeders have concentrated on their egg-laying 
capacities. The Wyandotte is originally an American bird, but 
it has been developed to its present condition as a great egg-layer 
chiefly in England. It may in time surpass the Leghorn as an egg 
machine, while it is much more valuable as a table bird. 
SICILIAN BUTTERCUPS 
This is one of the most attractive of recently imported pure 
breeds. It was only as recently as 1913 that Miss Blanche 
Stanton, of Stroud, Gloucester, brought the first pen to England, 
and they have captivated the fancy of the Fancy, besides adding 
to the ranks of the utility fowl. The bird is a small variety, eats 
very little and yet lays with gratifying frequency a good-sized 
white egg. It is possible that when developed along utility lines 
this breed may challenge the Leghorn for prolificacy. The 
Sicilian Buttercup gets its name from its large, cup-shaped comb. 
The plumage of the male bird is orange-red, with the back and 
wings bay-red, and willowy green legs. The pullet has a dull 
gold shade of plumage, including neck and hackle, shading to 
lighter buff. The ground colour of the back is a golden buff. 
Parallel rows of black spangles mark their body feathers. 
Sprightly, energetic birds, they are wonderful foragers, and on 
a free range will pick up half their food. 
