THE BREEDS 57 



of individuals known to carry "impure" blood, but by the 

 disqualification^ of such birds as have defects so serious as 

 to seem to indicate the influence of impure breeding, or to 

 be greatly to the detriment of the breed. 



Among reputable breeders, birds showing disqualifications 

 are usually discarded for breeding purposes. It is recog- 

 nized as the only means of ridding the breed of such undesir- 

 able tendencies. There is no guarantee, however, beyond a 

 breeder's word and standing, that this has always been done. 



This book, ordinarily spoken of as the Standard, is pub- 

 lished by the American Poultry Association, and is revised 

 and brought down to date once in eight years. It lists all 

 the recognized breeds and varieties, grouped in their proper 

 classes, with their descriptions and disqualifications, and is 

 the ofiicial guide by which all standard breeds are judged. 

 Most of the well-known breeds and varieties are standard, 

 Pit Games and Rhode Island Whites probably being the 

 most brilliant exceptions among chickens. 



A complete list of chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese as 

 recognized by the American Poultry Association includes 

 fifteen classes, sixty breeds and one hundred and forty-nine 

 varieties. Of these, twelve classes, forty-two breeds and one 

 hundred and twenty varieties are of chickens. There are 

 eleven breeds of ducks, grouped in one class, and subdivided 

 into fifteen varieties. The six breeds of geese are grouped as 

 one class, and only one of the breeds has two varieties. 

 Turkeys are all of the same shape and so all belong to the 

 same breed, as well as to the same class. The breed is 

 divided into six varieties on the basis of color. Pigeons, 

 guineas, pheasants, peafowl, swans, and ostriches are not 

 dealt with by the Standard. 



Breed Standards. — Each description of a breed with its 

 several varieties is termed a "breed standard." The Ameri- 

 can Standard of Perfection is in reality a collection of breed 

 standards. Each represents the composite ideal for the 

 breed as formed from breeders' conceptions of usefulness 



' Declaring them unworthy to be considered members of the breed. In 

 the show room a disqualified bird is not allowed to compete for a premium. 



