December, 1912 
THE “FANCY” FOWLS 
By E, I. FARRINGTON 
HAT are commonly called the 
“fancy” breeds are not, of course, 
the only breeds which are kept by fan. 
ciers. On the contrary, such birds as the 
Plymouth Rocks, the Rhode Island Reds 
and the Leghorns, which cackle in thou- 
sands of backyards all over the country. 
appear in larger numbers at the poultry 
shows than those which are classed as 
strictly “fancy.” 
The latter are bred by people who are 
concerned more with the ornamental than 
with the utility qualities of their hens— 
people who are fond of the unusual and 
even the bizarre. Some of the most at- 
tractive fowls known in this country are 
included among the less conventional 
breeds, so that there is good reason for 
raising them, apart from any mere desire 
to be unconventional. Some of them, too, 
are excellent layers. 
Often the owners of large estates keep 
a few pens of these fancy birds in addition 
to a flock of utility poultry. In the vicin- 
ity of Boston, the Hamburg breed is in 
particular favor among wealthy fanciers 
and the list of entries at the Boston Show 
is sure to contain several names familiar 
in fashionable society. 
The Hamburgs are small and stylish. 
Incidentally they are prolific layers of 
white eggs, but they are rather lacking 
in vigor and do not like close confine- 
ment, so that while the utility poultry- 
man admires their beauty, he soon passes 
on to a more profitable breed. Their 
name doubtless was adopted from the sea- 
port city, although they were long known 
in England as the “Dutch Every-Day 
Layers.” Probably the Silver-Spangled 
and the Golden-Spangled are the varieties 
most frequently reared, although there 
are also Golden-Penciled, Silver Penciled, 
White and Black varieties. The Blacks 
are much in favor among fashionable 
breeders. 
The White-Faced Black Spanish is an 
interesting fowl and probably the oldest 
of the non-sitting breeds. Unfortunately, 
it has been the subject for breeding ex- 
periments so long that its constitution has 
been weakened as a result of efforts to 
develop certain fancy points desired. The 
birds are now rather delicate and fertility 
of the eggs is low. No one would choose 
them for practical purposes alone, but 
they will give a fair return in eggs for 
the care which they receive and a much 
larger return in satisfaction to the eye. 
While the plumage is glossy black the 
face is white, so that they have an unusual 
and striking appearance. 
Still another highly ornamental fowl is 
the Polish in several varieties—White 
Crested Black, Silver, Bearded Golden, 
Bearded Silver, Buff Laced, Blue and 
plain White. As may be inferred from 
this multiplicity of varieties, the fanciers 
have exercised their skill on this breed 
for generations. The most prominent 
characteristic of the Polish fowl of both 
sexes is a large and handsome crest, 
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