16 THE AMERICAN BREEDS OF POULTRY 



in the fluff; however, this is a minor defect found in the majority of 

 heavy bodied hens, yet it is a point that may decide prizes in very 

 strong competition. We would not consider it a fault in a Wyandotte 

 hen selected to breed cockerels. 



The tibia is erroneously termed the thigh. The fact is that the 

 thigh of a chicken lies under the skin; it bends the same as a man's 

 knee. The drumstick or tibia and shank bend backward at the hock, 

 for the hock joint corresponds with man's ankle. 



The section "Legs," as measured by the eye, includes both shanks 

 and drumsticks. Both bones should be of medium length in the 

 Rock, short in the Wyandotte and rather longer than medium in the 

 Red. A long legged Wyandotte is utterly useless. A short legged 

 Red is of no value; however, there is a tendency to breed an extreme 

 length. As long as the drumstick is stout, length is permissible, 

 but when station is secured at the expense of meat on the drumstick, 

 the long, poorly fleshed leg will be found associated with a shallow 

 body, and such a bird does not represent the most useful and pro- 

 ductive type of Rhode Island Reds, notwithstanding the fact that when 

 viewed from the side, this slab-sided specimen may have an attrac- 

 tive profile. The same applies to Rocks, but the tendency to breed 

 high station is not so strong among Plymouth Rock breeders. 



A fine boned shank usually indicates a small, fine boned body. A 

 coarse boned shank is not desirable. Smooth, nicely laid on scales 

 on the shanks and toes are very desirable. Creases or grooves down 

 the shanks are objectionable. 



Scaly legs, easily recognized by the enlarged rough appearance 

 of the shanks and toes, are caused by minute mites, which burrow 

 in prodigious numbers beneath the scales, forming a yellowish, 

 powdery substance which raises up the scales and makes the shanks 

 rough and heavy appearing. Scaly legs is a diseased condition, and 

 it is optional with the judge whether he shall cut legs so affected 

 for shape and write the word "condition" in the remark column, or 

 cut the bird for condition and write the word "shank" in the column 

 for remarks. It might be clearer to write in the remark column 

 on the score card the words "scaly legs" to explain the cut. Good 

 breeders never exhibit a scaly leg bird; they scarcely ever have one, 

 for they never keep one around, never breed one and, most of all, 

 never set a female so affected. 



Head: Having considered the body and the legs which bear and 

 move the body, we shall now turn to the head, the seat of the senses 

 which direct the body. A good head is the crown of the whole 

 bird, and a poor head irreparably stamps the bird as poor, regardless 

 of how good it may be in any other section, or in a combination 

 of all other sections. 



The skull contains the brain which dominates the activity of the 

 bird. If the skull is narrow, not wide across, it indicates fine bone 



