AMERICAN mSJBSIGMTS, OR SEBRIQST COCHINS. US 



KRMINETTKS. 



This is a new American breed, originated by Mr. John H. Sutliffe, of Bristol, 

 Conn., from a cross between a small pair of fowls brought from the West Indies, 

 which resembled the Leghorns in size and shape, but whose plumage was white, 

 evenly splashed with solid black feathers. By judicious crossing with the larger 

 breeds Mr. Sutliffe has been able to produce a fowl having this peculiarly 

 splashed plumage, combined with large size, feathered, yellow legs, and small 

 combs. 



The Erminettes were first shown at the exhibition of the Central Connecticut 

 Poultry Association, held at Bristol, in December, 1874. 



AMKRIOAN SEBEIGKTS, OR SBBEIGHT COCHINS. 



The first mention we find of thin hyeed occurs in ^e Poultry World for March, 

 1876, in an article on "New Varicj/ies," by D. W. Hooker, who writes: 



"Where and how this variety oi.'iginated I am unable to state, after diligent 

 incjniry. It has marks of both the Brahma and Hamburg. The head is crowned 

 with a good, double comb ; wattles and ear-lobes both red and of medium size ; 

 hackle black, striped with white; back broad, with black, Brahma-like tail; 

 breast white, deep and broad, and back and breast feathers deeply laced; wings 

 primary feathers mostly white, and lower-wing coverts tipped with black, making 

 a distinct bar; legs short and slightly feathered, coloring throughout clear black 

 and white, with a tendency to gray on the hackle and saddle ; weight, about 

 eight pounds for the cock and six for the hen. Their valued poii^ts are that 

 they are good layers the year round ; tliey are not troublesome to break up from 

 sitting; they are fine for the table, dressing a rich yellow; and while being good 

 foragers, they are not disposed tp fly. 



"Though possessing the characteristics of a pure breed, so marked as to be 

 distinguished the moment the eye rests upon them, they have not yet bred true 

 enough to feather to knock at the door of the Stamdard. There is yet much 

 variety in the lacing ; in some the comb shows yet the 'pea,' and in others the 

 Hamburg point. Some also are clean-legged. But with careful breeding they 

 havfe a fair prospect of becoming one of the most valued of bur domestic fowls. 

 I trust their breeders will not knock until their points become so established that 

 the fraternity shall bid them a cordial come in." 



In November, J877, Mr. M. L. Kidder writes in the same journal of this breed, 

 adding the name American Sebright : 



"In size they are much like Plymouth Eocks ; in form they are like no. other; 

 bodies are very deep and wide, carrying a large amount of the very best quality 

 of flesh. In color, as the name seems to indicate, the breast of the cock and the 

 entire body of the hen much resemble the beautiful white and black of the Sil- 

 ver-laced Sebright Bantams, except that the lacing is broader. Hens' necks are 

 striped like Brahmas', and they have a glossy, green-black tail, a little^larger 

 than a Brahma's. The hen has a very low, flat rose-comb. Her weight at ma- 

 turity is six to eight pounds. The color of the cocks,- except the breast, is much 

 like that of the Dark Brahma; but the form is more like the Dorking. Weight, 

 eight to eleven pounds. Both have, or should have, clean, bright yellow legs, 



