BLACK SPANISH 33 



ranean class. Moubray, one of the earliest writers on poultry, 

 includes this variety in his descriptions of fowls. See Fig. i6. 



They were more widely bred in this country a quarter of a cen- 

 tury ago than now, probably because of the increased popularity 

 of the Leghorn. In size they are about equal to the White Min- 

 orca, though their mold is somewhat different, being shorter and 

 perhaps more erect. Their haughty bearing, and the white face 

 and lobes peculiar to the breed, contrasting with their glossy 

 black plumage, render them strikingly beautiful birds. This dis- 

 tinguishing white face, rising well over the eyes and extending to 

 the back of the head, should be pure white and free from wrinkles. 

 The greater the extent of surface the better. Needless to say, 

 this is the one difficult problem in breeding Spanish, though from 

 a fancier's point of view it is this very feature that adds interest. 



Black Spanish lay a white-shelled egg, and for productiveness 

 and other qualifications they can be rated with the Minorca. 

 The males are said to be wonderful fighters, and to be capable of 

 holding their own against all comers, save the Games. Recently 

 they have not been bred in any numbers except by fanciers. 

 Lack of the more accepted utility qualities is probably the reason 

 for this falling off in popularity. 



The Andalusian, sometimes called the Blue Andaiusian, the 

 prefix " blue " being superfluous, since there is only the one variety 

 of this breed, has the rather unique distinction of wearing the 

 national colors. See Fig. 17. The face, eyes, comb and wattles 

 are red, the ear-lobes are white, and the plumage is a beautiful 

 light and dark blue. 



There is considerable confusion concerning the origin of this 

 breed. Judging from its name, it might have come from Anda- 

 lusia, a province in Spain, which is celebrated for its bulls for the 

 ring, though Mr. Weir, an English authority on poultry, who 

 visited this section with the view to learning something about this 

 breed, failed to find any convincing evidence. 



Anatomically the Andalusians and Minorcas are noticeably 

 alike, though the former are somewhat smaller, the standard 

 weight for cocks being 6 pounds, for hens and cockerels 5 pounds, 

 3 



