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Back, short, broad across the shoulders, tapering to tho tail. 



Breast, broad, straight, full, prominent ; the 'pectoral muscles 

 being well developed, gives power to the wings.. 



Wings, large and long ; quills powerful and strong. 



Tail, large and spread. 



Belly, small and tight. 



Thighs, very short, round and muscular. 



Legs, strong, clean-boned, not round or gummy like other fowls, 

 nor too upright, nor too wide apart, but parallel with the body, and 

 well bent at the hocks, which is important ; spur small and set very 

 low down. 



Feet, flat, thin, spreading, long taper toes and nails, the hind toe 

 extending straight back and flat on the ground, not twisted sideways 

 ot " duckfooted." 



Plumage, the feathers strong, hard, close, sound, glossy and 

 sufficient. 



Carriage, bold, smart ; the movements quick and graceful ; proud 

 and sprightly as if ready for any emergency. 



Handling, clever, flesh firm, but corky and light, mellow and 

 warm, with strong contraction of the wings and legs. 



A writer on cocking nearly three centuries since says: — "In 

 shape that cock is ever held the strongest, which is largest in the 

 girth, which you shall prove by grasping him about, from the points 

 of your great fingers to the joints of your thumbs, he should be 

 sprightly and prowd in motion ; his head small like unto the Spar- 

 hawk, his eye large and quick, his beak strong and crooked and big 

 at setting on, in colour suitable to his plume ; the beame of his 

 legge very strong and according to his plume." He should carry no 

 offal, lumber, or superfluous flesh, and should be in perfect health 

 and of sound constitution ; a poor or weak constitution is totally 

 useless, and the only cure is death. This applies equally to both 

 cock and hen . 



The hen should resemble the cock in all points, making allowance 

 for the difference in sex. She should be wide in the back, short- 

 legged, have a small comb, wattles, &c. ; be strong, yet clean and 

 bloodlike in feet and legs ; strong beak ; short wide body ; her wings 

 well clipped, almost meeting beneath the tail; her movements 

 should be quick and alert, and she should have a neat and gamey 

 appearance, and if spurred so much the better. It is needless to 

 add she should match the cock in eye, beak, leg and colour. 



