BREEDING 57 



that are supposed to have upright combs. Defective combs 

 such as shown in Figure 61 should be guarded against. 



Eyes. The eyes should be of a good size, clear, bright, 

 and fairly prominent. A dull sunken eye denotes lack of 

 vigor and vitality. 



Neck. The neck should not be long but fairly short 

 and stout, indicating strength; and curved so that the head 

 will be well back and over the breast. 



Body. The body should have a well balanced appearance 

 and should possess sufficient depth and length, keeping in 

 mind the desirable type of the breed in question. The 

 underline of the fowl is governed largely by the Une of the 

 back. In most cases the underline should not be straight 

 or absolutely parallel with the line of the back, nor should 

 the underUne diverge sharply to the rear so as to give a 

 baggy appearance. It should, however, be fairly straight 

 and diverge slightly to the rear. 



Breast. From the market point of view the breast is 

 most important, owing to the quality and quantity of meat 

 it carries in proportion to the rest of the body. It should 

 be deep, round, broad and full. Avoid fowls having narrow 

 or flat breasts. A fowl with a full crop must not be confused 

 with one having a full breast. 



Back. The back, which is a most important part of 

 the fowl, should conform with the requirements of the breed 

 in question as given in the American Standard of Perfec- 

 tion. A very common defect is the tendency for the back 

 to become narrow as it approaches the tail. This is not a 

 defect, however, in the Cornish or the Games. 



Wings. The wings should be fairly short and held 

 firmly in place. Fowls with twisted or slipped wings should 

 not be used, as these are defects and are inherited. 



Tail. The tail should conform with the requirements 

 of the breed which usually call for one of medium length, 



