APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING 



505 



Fig. 505. Rouen drake, owned by White Birch Poul- 

 try Farm, Bridgewater, Massachusetts 



by touch, is a better 

 test of length in the 

 body of the breeding 

 bird than the length of 

 the bird as it appears 

 to the eye, and when 

 the bird is dressed, the 

 true length is apparent ; 

 but in judging exhibi- 

 tion stock, considered 

 section by section, the 

 back is judged as it 

 appears, and a bird of 

 this character may be 

 penalized in several 

 sections for a fault 

 which strictly belongs 

 to one or two. A slight 

 difference in length of 

 leg will make a marked 

 difference in the station 

 and style of the bird. In nearly all breeds of fowls American fanciers want 

 the leg (shank and thigh) long enough to show the hock and something of 

 the outline of the thigh when the bird is seen in profile. The only clean-legged 

 breeds in which a leg with shank 

 appearing to come right out of 

 the body is at all favored are 

 the Dorkings and Orpingtons. 

 In all others the thigh should 

 show, and for most of them this 

 provision is a part of the un- 

 written standard, for only in the 

 Wyandotte and Game descrip- 

 tions is this point mentioned 

 in the " American Standard of 

 Perfection." 



The shape of the wings sel- 

 dom requires special considera- 

 tion, except in case of deformity 

 of the first joint, causing, when 

 slight, inability to properly fold 

 the wing. When the defect is 

 more serious the wing may hang 



badly and some of the feathers Kig. 506. Rouen duck, owned by White 



be badly twisted. The worst Birch Poultry Farm 



