114 POULTRY CULTURE 



two-thirds to females. Uniformity should be considered. 

 Individuals of same general shape, size, type, and color are 

 always more desirable than a pen of good individuals but of 

 different types. 



Size. — Preference to be given to birds medium to-large in 

 size. Extremely small hens usually lay small eggs. Ex- 

 tremely large ones not best layers. Highest producers usually 

 medium in size. 



Disqualifications. — ^Evidence of contagious disease. De- 

 cided evidence of mongrel or cross breeding. 



Description of Male 



Condition. — Good health and reasonably well fleshed. Ex- 

 cessively pale, purple or yellow comb denotes poor health. 

 Drooping tail denotes poor condition. Free from parasites. 



Carriage. — Slightly more erect than female as this is natural 

 characteristic of male. Extremely erect not desirable. 



Activity, Intelligence, and Friendliness. — Active and busy. 

 Elusive but not flighty. Tame and friendly when handled. 



Gallantry and Fighting Ability. — Calhng the females con- 

 tinually. A good scrapper and crower. 



Head-shape. — Moderately fine, without over-hanging 

 eyebrows or other signs of extreme coarseness. 



Loss of fat from the head not expected as in the female. 

 The comb medium to large but not excessive in size. 



Body-shape. — ^Broad, indicating full capacity and vitaUty. 

 A triangle from front to back but not excessively so. This 

 desirable character may be transmitted to his daughters. 



Legs, Toes, Neck, Wings, and Tail. — ^Strong shanks weU 

 apart, indicating good vitality, and of fah' length to give him 

 free action so he can work and forage well. The nails fairly 

 well worn, indicating that he has been scratching for food and 

 calhng the hens to eat what he could find. Neck and wings 

 well proportioned. Tail carried according to standard re- 

 quirements of the breed. 



Plumage. — Comparatively close feathering with due allow- 

 ance for breed. The American and English classes naturally 

 have looser feathering than the Mediterranean class. Loose 



