116 



THE COMPLETE POULTRY BOOK. 



Blade Eamburgs — This breed was originally exhibited in Lancashire under the 

 name of Black Pheasant; but it has latterly been crosBe4 with the Black Span- 

 ish, as shown by the increased size^-cocks weighing six or seven pounds — ^by the 

 tendency toward a white face, drooping ear-lobes, and nearly smooth, mis-shapen 

 combs. 



The general color of the plumage is a jet black, each feather terminating in a 

 velTety-green spangle, which gives a rich, glossy appearance to the plumage. 



In disposition the Black Hamburgs are rather wild; as layers they are unsur- 

 passed, and in constitution they are superior to either of the pencilled or span- 

 gled breeds 



WAiie ffamhirgs—Thishreed is not mentioned by Tegetmeier, but is recog- 

 nhred by the American Standard. It has been produced by selecting the lightest 

 maiked of the Silver-pencilled variety, also, possibly, by breeding albinos of the 

 Black Hamburgs. It seems defective in hardiness, but this is probably largely 

 due to the close in-breeding required to fix the breed. The White Hamburgs 

 have the Hamburg shape, size, and rose-comb, with perfectly white plumage 

 throughout. 



