62 THE BIRDS 



classes, which for generations have been bred for rich meat 

 and large size, at the sacrifice of egg production. The eggs 

 yielded are brown, of good size, and rather roundish in shape, 

 and from sixty to one hundred per year is good for the heavy 

 breeds. They excel in producing an abundance of meat of good 

 quality, and they make ideal roasters and capons, but can 

 not be used for broilers. At the broiler age they are exceed- 

 ingly lean, while the skeleton has attained enormous pro- 

 portions, which gives them a poor appearance. 



THE MEAT BREEDS 



The meat breeds include the Brahma, Cochin, and Lang- 

 shan, all of which are of Asiatic origin, and belong to the 

 Asiatic class of the Standard Classification. The Cor- 

 nish Game makes ideal market poultry, and should be 

 classed with the meat breeds. In general, it may be stated 

 that the three breeds of the Asiatic family represent the 

 true flesh producing birds of our poultry industry, for 

 they are the largest of all breeds, and their meat is of 

 fine quality. 



Brahmas. — The Brahma may be truly called the king of 

 all breeds, both as to size and quality. These birds are 

 of true American origin, being the result of American breed- 

 ing upon Oriental types. Asiatic breeds brought to this 

 country were the foundation stock from which they were 

 developed. In appearance the Brahma is characterized by 

 extreme height and breadth, giving a massive appearance. 

 The cocks weigh twelve pounds, but in order to secure this 

 weight, the body must be large. As a rule, the Brahma has 

 a big, full breast and hackles, and a rather high tail. In 

 form the Brahma suggests a large ellipse or oval. The 

 most t3rpical features of the Brahma are the pea comb, and 

 a head rather small in proportion to the body. The full 

 breast is decidedly characteristic. There are two common 

 varieties of the Brahma, the light and the dark. The light 



