SICILIAN BUTTERCUPS 81 



sometimes attaining a length of fifteen or eighteen feet, and are 

 quite beautiful in coloring. Occasionally specimens are ex- 

 hibited in American poultry shows. 



Sicilian Buttercups have appeared in the poultry exhibits 

 from time to time, but they never won any particular favor. 

 See Fig. 20. They have an odd comb, resembling a cup. In 

 Sicily, their native home, they were known as " Patera Opulentae," 

 meaning sacred cup of riches, and were formerly used in religious 

 sacrifices. 



