Brahmas. 
133 
variety for the past twelve years. The success that my birds iiave met with in the Exhibition 
pens is generally well known, and no doubt that some of the information on the mating and 
breeding of the variety will be of practical use to many an embryo Fancier. There is little doubt that 
both the Brahma and Cochin equally hold pride of place as " Fancy Fowls." Some may possibly 
discredit this by making the statement that they are not nearly so numerous as many other breeds, nor so 
generally kept. This is just the reason why they occupy the proud distinction. If they could be 
produced in great numbers and of a high standard of excellence, like "mushrooms" — like some of the 
varieties — there would be a great deal more said about it ; but it is because they are extremely difificult to 
breed, and so hard to maintain, that so few care to keep them, and to place a good Brahma or Cochin into 
the Show pen as they should be exhibited, is no child's play. A good Brahma should be something massive 
and handsome, and well fill the Show pen. A typical one will always catch the eye, and draw forth the 
exclamation, " Oh, what a beautiful bird !" Of the two varieties the Darks have for a long period held pride 
of place, but of later years the Lights have so steadily improved and grown in general favour that they now 
more than hold their own. In shape, size, and carriage they should be identical, differing only in colour. 
"Turning to their useful qualities for a moment, there is no doubt they are one of the hardiest 
constitutioned breeds of Poultry we have, being able to accommodate themselves to any surroundings, and 
thrive under the greatest disadvantages. 
I.— Perfect Hackle. 2 —Breast. 3.— Cushion. 
Fig. 65. — Feathers of Dark Brahma Pullet. 
" The hens lay early in the season, the eggs being of a rich brown colour, and are for the table as rich as 
they look. They certainly do not lay as often as some of the boomed varieties I have heard of, but 
lay at a time of year when one egg is of the full value of three laid at ordinary times. As chickens they 
grow amazingly fast, and at three or four months old provide a carcase for table requirements as fine, or 
finer, than most other varieties at six months old ; and further, I state, without fear of contradiction, there is 
no better table Fowl procurable. I am qualified to offer an opinion on this head, having sampled all of the 
varieties classed as table Fowls. I note by the latest files of the Feathered World, procurable at time of 
writing, that in the export classes for Dead Poultry, at the London Dairy Show (the largest Show in the 
United Kingdom), that the Brahma-Dorking cross won first prize in the cross-bred variety class. I shall 
now endeavour to give an outline of what a good Show specimen should be, for this is actually what I 
intended to write about. Head : Short, nicely rounded, and broad across the skull ; eyebrows, slightly 
overhanging ; beak, short, stout at base, and nicely curved ; comb, triple or pea, rising and widening to 
centre, then narrowing and falling towards the back, finishing close on the back of the head in a rounded 
point ; deaf-ears should hang down a little longer than the wattles (I don't like them too long, as this is 
invariably accompanied with a coarse comb) ; neck, rather long, nicely arched, and broad where set on 
