142 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
One point not to be overlooked in breeding tbe Partridge variety particularly, is to avoid breeding from 
a cock which has zvhitc in tail, as this defect is very difficult to eradicate when once it is in a strain. 
White Cochins are a most beautiful variety, and, being self-coloured, do not offer the same obstacles to 
success in breeding as the other colours, though at the same time there is always some difficulty in keeping 
the cocks from developing a straw or pale yellow colour on the hackle and back. 
In selecting the breeding stock, this latter point should be borne in mind, taking care each successive 
mating to select those that are of the purest ivhitc, when, after a few generations, if this is rigidly observed, 
the sun will have little or no effect on the plumage ; but at the same time all white-plumaged Fowls should 
be provided with plenty of shelter from the sun's rays. 
Black Cochins, like the last mentioned, also being self-coloured, are again easier to breed, though they 
do not appear to have made much headway in the Colonies. These are now generally shovvn with black 
legs, and thus one difficulty in past years in breeding them is removed. The glossiest black birds only 
should be bred from, discarding those that have a dull or brownish appearance. 
Cuckoo Cochins are marked similarly to the Scotch Grey and Dominique, and the rules laid down for 
breeding barred Plymouth Rocks to colour points hold good in breeding the Cuckoo Cochin. That they do 
not approach the other varieties of the Cochin family in abundance of feather gives rise to the generally 
I. — Breast. 2. — Cushion. 
Fig. 67.— Feathers of Partridge Cochin Hen for Breeding Pullets. 
recognised belief that they were produced by crossing ; but as the colour markings are not so very difficult 
to perpetuate, the Cochin characteristics thus should be comparatively easy to secure. 
Silky Cochins are a sub-variety of the Buffs, differing from the latter in the formation of the webs of 
the feathers, and are looked upon as sports. The whole of the plumage is of a glossy or silky character, the 
webs of the feathers having no adhesion. They rarely grow to the size of the other varieties, and when wet 
present a most miserable and bedraggled appearance. One certain point about the peculiarity of thfe 
plumage is that it is a latent characteristic of the Cochin family, and one that by care and selection could 
easily be perpetuated, though at the same time scarcely worth the trouble. 
As a table Fowl the Cochin is on a very low plane, but still the breed possesses merits, chief of which 
are their extreme hardiness, their large size, and the hen's winter-laying capabilities, and, further, the small 
space they require to be contented, and do well in. If kept in very confined spaces, however, they must not 
be fed too liberally on ordinary foods, but an unlimited supply of green food may be supplied with marked 
benefit to them. The breed has a distinct tendency to become loo fat and lazy unless great care and 
judgment are exercised in the feeding. Picking out the good from the bad chickens is a somewhat difficult 
task ; but, as a general rule. Buff chickens that are marked or streaked with black spots, or that show 
mealiness in the wings, may with safety be discarded. Partridge cockerels, however, that exhibit a lot^ of 
