COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES. 



65 



from ideal in a Columbian "Wyandotte male, there are a 

 number of breeders of this variety today who would give 

 quite a good price for a male showing the amount of black 

 in neck that was good in other sections. Neck being one 

 section that is quite defective in color, usually being too 

 light, the breeder would be quite willing to use a male of 

 this kind in order to feed in the black that fanciers are 

 striving to get. Necks like Pig. 70 are seldom found in the 

 male specimens; they are found, however, among the fe- 

 males — we might say they are quite common with this 

 sex, as in the several yards I have visited I have found 

 more or less of it in each of them. In scoring a neck 

 like Fig. 71 it should be discounted two points. 



In Pig. 72 we find a group of feathers, showing de- 

 fects qquite common in this variety. No. 1 has about the 

 right per cent, of black and shows good lacing on outside 

 except at tip of feather, where there is an extra lacing of 

 black on the outside of white, giving the neck a smutty 

 appearance at junction of back. A neck like this should 

 be discounted one point. 



No. 2 is too light in under color, showing white about 

 two-thirds the length of feather and solid black at point. 

 A neck like this should be discounted two points — one 

 point for light under color and one point for lack of lacing 

 at tip. 



Feather No. 3 shows about the same amount of white, 

 but shows good lacing on outer edge, and would be dis- 

 counted one point. A neck with color like feather No. 3 

 looks goods for the surface and from outside appearance 

 would indicate almost perfect color, but when opened up 

 the cotton under color appears, which is a serious defect 

 In any variety, and especially so in a new one where we 

 are trying to establish sound color to the skin. 



Feather No. 4, while a little dark in under color, would 



Fig. 80. 



be passed without a discount. When color In this breed Is 

 once -established we would favor a trifle lighter under color 

 at base of hackle than we find In feather No. 4, but for 

 the time being, or until we have all our color points prop- 

 erly stamped, I would favor this feather over one showing 

 a lighter shade. 



Back. 



There is a decided difference of opinion among breed- 

 ers as to just what constitutes a perfect colored back. Some 

 prefer considerable striping in saddle, while others want 

 only a trace of It, and some insist there should be none at 

 all. The Standard describes It: "Surface color, white; 

 cape, black and white; saddle, white except where saddle 

 hangers take on the character of tail coverts, which, if 

 black in web and laced with white, shall not be considered 

 defective; under color, either white, bluish-white or slate." 



If we could breed a male with perfect laced coverts 

 and pure white saddles we would surely add beauty to this 

 section, but we doubt If this could be done except on rare 

 occasions, and even then the bird's ability to reproduce off- 



Fig. 81. 



spring that would show clear striping in neck or coverts 

 would be Impaired. You will not that the Standard-mak- 

 ers have protected the hackle color by describing the cape 

 as black and white, and for the Information of our readers 

 will say that the cape is the shorter feathers on the back 

 underneath the hackle shaped like a cape. Now, to ask 

 nature to reverse herself on the back of the same speci- 

 men, which we would be do^ng If we were to Insist on a 

 pure white saddle. Is setting a hard task for the breeders, 

 and would. In our opinion, have a tendency to create faking, 

 the very thing we wish to avoid. So long as the Standard 

 describes under color as white, bluish-white or slate, giv- 

 ing no preference to either, we are of the opinion that our 

 best males should have a reasonable amount of striping in 

 saddle, especially at junction with" tail coverts. 



In Fig. 73 is shown the saddle of a male that Is very 

 much in demand by breeders of Columbian Wyandottes in 

 order to establish color. However, there is entirely too 

 much color here to fit the Standard description, and in scor- 

 ing a back like this it should be discounted one point. 



In Pig. 74 we show what would be termed an ideal 

 saddle — one that we believe fits the Standard description 

 and one that should not be discounted for color. While 

 there is a trace of black In the saddle feather or side hang- 

 ers, as they are termed by the Standard, there is no more, 

 in our opinion, than Is necessary to produce well laced tail 

 covers. 



In Fig. 75 we show a bird with entirely too much 

 white in back and tail coverts, just such specimens as are 

 often met with in the Columbian. Wyandottes today. What 

 little color there is is mixed up, showing white and black 

 running together, and is in fact the most objectionable color 

 to be found on the back of a Light Brahma or Columbian 

 Wyandotte male. A back like this should be discounted 

 1% points. 



In Fig. 76 are shown three feathers that illustrate 

 this section, and were taken from the back of a well laced 

 male. 



Feather No. 1 Is entirely too dark, not only on surface, 

 but underneath as well. The black and white intermix at 

 end of feather, giving a black effect on surface, and should 

 be discounted 1% points. 



Feather No. 2 has the correct lacing on surface, but in 

 our opinion Is too white underneath, and we do not believe 

 a feather like this would hold as a breeder. However, the 

 Standard would not allow us to cut for it, as there Is no 

 preference to be given to the white or dark under color. 



In feather No. 3 we show what we believe to be the 

 correct striping, as well as the under color of the tail cov- 

 ert. This feather should meet with the approval of breed- 

 ers and judges, and is one one we are striving to obtain. 



