JUDGING 571 



required for judging. It is not advisable to maliie score cards 

 more definitely record the character of faults by increasing the 

 number of sections, because to considerably increase the number 

 of sections and still have the birds make the usual scores for their 

 quality would require a revaluation of specific points too difficult 

 to work out and apply. 



Use of score cards. The arrangement of sections on a score 

 card is devised to secure rapidity and thoroughness of examination 

 of the specimens under consideration. Taking the official score card 

 of the American Poultry Association for purpose of illustration, it 

 is noted that the form provides first for the general description and 

 identification of the specimen, and for the record of its weight. At 

 a show which is judged by score card the birds are usually weighed 

 by officials or attendants before judging begins, and the weight is 

 marked on the card as given to the judge. ^ 



The first three sections on the card are general sections. Sym- 

 mctry, as defined in the Standard of Perfection, really means 

 breed shape, or type. This section has been the subject of endless 

 controversy, many judges insisting that to cut for symmetry after 

 having cut shape faults in every section was to punish such faults 

 twice. In common practice little effort is made to value this section 

 discriminatingly. Some judges make a cut of one half on symmetry 

 on every card before looking at the birds at all. Cuts for condition 

 penalize an exhibitor for failure to properly fit his birds or for 

 showing birds in any way out of condition. These points may be 

 judged without handling the bird. The other sections are usually 

 marked, in order, as the bird is handled, though such points as 

 shape of breast and back, spread and carriage of tail, etc. may 

 have been noted by the judge before he took the bird in his hands. 

 An inexperienced person is not likely to carry such points accu- 

 rately in his mind, and should place the bird in proper position for 

 inspection before deciding on the cut for each section. Examina- 

 tion begins with the head, and proceeds section by section — head 

 and beak, neck, wings, back, tail, breast, body and fluff, legs and 

 toes. Every Standard specification for each section is considered, 



1 In judging by comparison the judge is supposed to consider size and weight 

 and to disquahfy specimens that are under the disqualifying weights, but the 

 birds are not weighed, and the rule is a dead letter in comparison shows. 



