TOP KNOT CHICKENS 



71 



sixteenth century. The eight varieties of Polish are: White 

 Crested Black (see Fig. 44), Bearded Golden, Bearded Silver, 

 Bearded White, Buff Laced, Non-Bearded Golden, Non-Bearded 

 Silver, and Non-Bearded White. (See Figs. 25-45-46.) 



It will be seen that there are two distinct sub-breeds of Polish, 

 the plain, or non-bearded varieties, and the bearded ones. All 

 have crests, or "top knots," which is their chief mark of distinc- 

 tion, in addition to which the bearded varieties have a thick. 



Fig. 44.— White-Crested Black Polish. 



full beard of feathers running under the; beak from eye to eye in 

 a graceful curve. The plain varieties are without this beard. 



The White-Crested Black is the most extensively bred in this 

 country, and the Bearded Silver variety probably comes next. 

 They are beautiful fowls, all of them, and by some are considered 

 good layers. As with all crested varieties of fowls, their "top 

 knots" are really against them. This head feathering obstructs 

 the vision, causing them to be timid and suspicious, an easy 



