346 POULTRY CULTURE 



the original type of domestic fowl was a bird of about the size 

 of the partridge or the pheasant ; in shape, approaching the game 

 type yet not presenting that type as developed with pit qualities ; 

 in color, of the black-red or brown-red type ; with small single comb 

 and no superfluous plumage. 



Birds of this type are often seen in mongrel flocks showing no 

 marked traces of the principal improved types. The general shape 

 and size of small mongrels is probably much the same as that of 

 the original stock, though color is more various. Even such breeds 

 as the Leghorns, Hamburgs, and Polish closely resemble this 

 original, except in color and superficial features. 



Types of domestic fowls. The number of varieties of fowls is 

 so great, and the development of characters so irregular, that it 

 is not possible to make a simple classification in which the place 

 of each variety is readily assigned. A simple classification requires 

 that the grouping of classes be according to economic characters, 

 which are few in number and relatively stable, rather than accord- 

 ing to superficial characters, which are many and constantly 

 changing. Scientific classification must be consistent. A primary 

 classification on a geographical ^ basis is obviously absurd, leading 

 to all sorts of inconsistencies, but regular differences in type in 

 different countries may properly be indicated in secondary divi- 

 sions. With further subdivision based on superficial characters, 

 a classification fundamentally simple and consistent will include 

 nearly all well-defined types. 



This plan of classification gives five distinct general types of 

 fowls, to which may be referred all but two varieties with plumage 

 of abnormal structure, for which a sixth class is made. The basis 

 of the classification being economic, the common economic terms 



1 The classification adopted by the American Poultry Association for the 

 Standard of Perfection is geographic (breeds being classified according to the 

 country in which they originated or from which they were introduced) and 

 patriotic (American breeds being given first), but utterly unscientific and tending 

 to confuse, not to clarify, conceptions of type. In such classification, homogeneity 

 is wholly dependent upon chance. In some cases (as in the American class) 

 the class is homogeneous because, on the principle adopted, incomplete ; in 

 others (as the English class) there is no homogeneity. The absurdity of such 

 classification becomes plain when representatives of all breeds and varieties 

 are arranged according to it. This system of arrangement is rarely used a second 

 time at a poultry show. 



