Plymouth Rocks. 
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blue, primaries and secondaries barred across with dark blue - almost black. The wings of a good specimen, 
when opened, should show a distinct series of barred semi-circles, extending from the lower edge of the 
primaries across the secondaries, and lie parallel to each other until they reach well up on the sides of the 
wings. The flights on no account should be solid black or white. Tail, medium size, somewhat spread at 
the junction with the body, the coverts fairly full, the shape and colour similar to the cock ; FlitJJ] moderately 
full (not, however, hanging down as in the Cochin, but still at the same time sufficiendy developed to give 
the hen a rather massive appearance from behind), colour as in the cock. The barring should extend all 
over the webbed feathers on the thighs. Legs, thighs well developed, and covered with feathers ; Shanks, 
medium in length, stout, and well set apart, colour yellow, quite free from black scales ; Toes, straight and 
well spread ; Carriage, upright and matronly-looking ; Wciglit, hens 9 lbs., pullets 7^ lbs. 
White Plymouth Rocks are an offshoot of the Barred variety, and first originated in the hands of Mr. 
O. F. Frost, of Maine, U.S.A., and, like their progenitors, are a i)lump, compact, full-breasted, full-bodied 
fowl, very vigorous and hardy. They do not offer nearly so many obstacles in breeding true to colour as the 
Barred, though occasionally, as in all made breeds of Poultry, reversion is accountable for the appearance of 
a few off-coloured chickens, and now and again one or two with feathers on the shanks. They, however, 
breed truer to feather than either the Wyandotte or Andalusian, but can scarcely be expected to rival the 
Barred variety in general prolificacy for some time yet. They offer many advantages to the Fancier or 
Farmer, as there is not nearly the same difficulty in breeding a self-coloured variety as in one with more or 
less broken markings. They look even more attractive on a green lawn or the Show pen for that matter, 
than the Barred variety, and will, no doubt, in some few years become their chief rivals. 
General Characteristics of White Plymouth Rocks. 
THE COCK. 
Head. — Medium in size, and carried erect \ Beak, yellow, stout at base, well curved ; Eyes, bright bay, or 
• hazel, large, clear, and bright ; Comb, bright red, single, fine in texture, medium in size, perfectly upright, 
evenly and well serrated, and free from side sprigs ; Wattles and Ear-lobes, medium in size, well rounded, and 
bright red in colour ; Neck, medium in length, well arched, and covered wath abundant hackle feathers ; 
Back, broad, of medium length, the saddle feathers abundant; Breast and Bodv, breast broad, deep, full, 
and well rounded, body deep, full, and well rounded ; Wings^ medium in size and vvell folded, carried closely 
to the body, the under part of wing-bows well covered with the breast feathers ; 'l ail, medium in size, carried 
moderately upright, the sickle feathers and tail coverts well curved ; E'hiff, moderately full ; Legs and Toes, 
thighs large and strong, well covered with soft feathers ; Shanks, medium in length, strong in bone, set on 
wide apart, and bright yellow in colour ; Toes, straight and strong, medium length, well spread ; Colour of 
Plumage, pure spotless white ; Weight, cockerels 8 lbs., cocks 10 lbs. The hen should resemble the cock 
in head, comb, face, wattles, ear-lobes, eyes, beak, legs and feet, and colour ; back, broad, and of medium 
length, with a slight cushion rising from the centre of the back to the tail, in all other points similar to 
the cock, making allowance for difference in sex. Pullets, 7 lbs. ; hens, 8}4 lbs. 
The Buff variety are a long way from being up to the standard of either the Barred or White, and offer a 
splendid opportunity for an enterprising Fancier to take them up. They are now making great headway in 
America, the craze for Buff Poultry of various breeds being at fever point. Buffs should be a solid buff 
colour throughout, exactly as in the Buff Cochin, though of the true type and carriage of the Rock Family. 
Any black or white ticks or spots in plumage are a serious defect, but it is rare as yet to find one bird 
perfectly sound in tail. The birds as generally exhibited fail in evenness of colour, and their hackle feathers 
are more or less ticked with black. It will be some years hence before they will occupy an even position 
with the other colours, and when this comes to pass they will undoubtedly prove to be a most handsome and 
attractive variety. 
The Blacks are with us always. No breeder of the Barred Plymouth Rocks need be without them, if so 
inclined. The great drawback to this colour becoming fashionable is the natural tendency they have to 
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