COLUMBIAN IVYANDOTTES. 



67 



By referring again to Standard Columbian female we 

 And what I believe to be the correct color of Columbian 

 Wyandotte. I also recommend this shape to the breeders 

 of this variety and ask for honest criticism from those who 

 know what correct shape should be, and especially those 

 who have an individual Interest In this variety. 



In Fig. 83 is shown a plate of feathers illustrating 

 some of the defects found in the color of this variety, to- 

 gether with our valuation of the defective ones. 



Feather No. 1 is our Ideal tail covert, showing what we 

 believe to be the proper amount of black and white. The 

 black is pure within itself, with a nice clear edging of 

 white that shows off this section of the bird to the very 

 best advantage. 



Feather No. 2 is defective, both in white and black. 

 The white is too wide on one side and too narrow on the 

 other and fails entirely at end of feather. The black has 

 a tendency to creep into the white around the edge, making 

 an uneven border. Tail coverts like this should be dis- 

 counted 1 point. 



Feather No. 3 is one commonly found in this variety, 

 especially in the second or lower row of coverts. The 

 white edging is too wide and is more or less flecked with 

 black on one side and the black runs entirely to the edge 

 on the other, and should be discounted 1 point. 



Feather No. 4 will be found more often on sides rather 

 than directly in center of tail. It is only laced on one side 

 with black, and that black fails in the wliite edging. Should 

 all the feathers in the section compare with these, then it 

 should be discounted 2 points. 



Feather No. 5 is too black at end — fails entirely in lac- 

 ing at the point where lacing is most desired. It is fairly 

 good in side lacing and has about the right proportion ot 

 black except that black runs more like a straight feather 

 through the white instead of being proportioned; broader 

 at center than at ends. Coverts showing feathers like 5 

 should be discounted 1 point. 



In Fig. SO we wish to call special attention to the 

 wording of the Standard in regard to the lacing ot tall 

 proper where it says, "Black except two highest main tail 

 feathers, which may be edged with white." Do not con- 

 fuse the word "edged" with lacing, as the Standard-makers 

 intended that only the sides of the feather should be 

 edged with white and not laced entirely around like the 

 coverts. We believe the illustration will convey the right 

 impression and give the inexperienced breeder the de- 

 sired information. 



In our illustration of defective neck and tail color 1 

 have placed a valuation on the male that would fall equally 

 as heavily on the females, as the color description is the 

 same for both sexes in the sections named with the ex- 

 ception of deck feathers in female, which will be de- 

 scribed later. 



In the color ot wings there is a considerable difference, 

 the female being given decidedly the best of the argu- 

 ment by our Standard-makers. The Standard describes 

 the color of wing flights in males as "Black, or nearly black, 

 with white edging on lower web." In females it reads: 

 "Black and white (the black to predominate) with white 

 edging on lower web." 



With this description of color one can see that a wing 

 might be cut one point for color in cockerel and pass 

 without a discount in a pullet. Personally, I favor the 

 darker wing, and I have never yet found a competent 

 judge, or, I might say, a real down-to-date breeder, who 

 didn't agree with me. The color as described was submit- 

 ted by the New England Light Brahma breeders and rec- 

 ommended by them and so adopted by the Standard-mak- 

 ers, but the wing to meet the requirements of our West- 

 ern Brahma breeders and our Western oClumbian breed- 

 ers must be black on upper web and white on lower web, 

 bui in view of the fact that it is only a matter of time until 

 the Columbian Wyandptte breeders will make their Stand- 

 ard to suit their fancy, regardless of the opinion of breed- 

 ers of other varieties, we believe that when the time come.3 

 they will demand a flight black and white as before re- 

 ferred to. 



In Pig. 80 is shown a tail that fits our Standard de- 

 scription as to color on female, which reads: "Black except 

 the main-tail feathers, which may be edged with white." 

 The word "may," In our opinion, should read "should," as 

 we believe the two highest feathers, usually trmed "deck 

 feathers," should be laced with white, and solid black deck 

 feathers be discounted. 



■ With our description of color, together with illustra- 

 tions, we believe the readers will arrive at a fair under- 

 standing of proper color and be able to select their best 

 specimens, both for breeding and exhibition. I would again 

 caution thB new breeders in reference to color inost to be 

 considered at this time, give preference to black rather 

 than white until you get the black points permanently es- 

 tablished in your birds. Don't be scared at a little ticking 

 in body and back color, for a time at least. If by getting 

 this you have good lacing in neck and tail. 



