186 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
the few cases I have seen they have been the result of shrinking, owing to the bird being in bad condition, 
but birds in bad condition have no right at a Show. 
" /uir-Iohcs clear of Pcnuaucnt U'/iitc, 5 points. — Another section in which the 'trail of the serpent' 
of Mediterranean blood has caused nearly all the trouble, as evidenced by the facts, that the American 
strains have been singularly free from this defect, while the birds that have been badly affected have had 
heavy crosses of the English strains, showing ^Minorca taint in the Barred, and Leghorn in the White 
variety. Never breed from a bird showing permanent white in the lobes, unless limited to a few specks, as 
it is extremely difificult to breed out, and the least sign of this must seriously handicap a bird in any close 
competition, and if one-third or more really permanent white should disqualify, and as the lobes of many hens 
and pullets are closely folded, this is another point that requires the closest attention. But do not confound 
permanent white with temporary white, as may be done if criticising in a hurry, as the one is a dangerous 
fixture, and the other often caused by a bird being off in condition, or fairly done up or tired out, either 
from over-showing or the undue length of many Shows. Again and again, going through the Rock classes 
on the first morning of a Show, one will see nearly every lobe as red as a red rose ; but after a couple of 
days, when birds commence to tire, many of these same birds' lobes appear quite pale, and some of them 
may easily be mistaken for permanent white. If at all uncertain, the only plan is to handle every doubtful 
specimen, and test carefully. This may be done by holding the head slightly lower than the body, thus 
letting the blood run into the lobes. If the white is only temporary, this test will quickly cause the lobe to 
resume its natural red colour ; but if of a permanent nature, nothing but cutting the affected part clean out 
will remove the objectionable white. This cutting out, or off, of permanent white in lobes is certainly very 
rare in Rock classes in Australia, as, with a certain 'stand down' for a number of years if detected, the 
game is not worth the candle ; but I have suspected this game once or twice, and if judging birds showing 
signs of Mediterranean type, always look out that the lobes are whole, and unmeddled with. 
T\pc, 4^ to 55 points, comprising 
Points. 
Size and bone 15 (if extra large, 25) 
Symmetry ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 
Shape, size, and set-on of tail ... ... . ... 10 
" These three sections may be taken under one heading, as combined they form that pre-eminent part 
in the description of a Rock knowji as type, and taking into consideration the fact that the Standard allots 
to this section a possible 55 points, even a novice can quickly note the stress laid on the importance of correct 
type. Some, perhaps, may argue that size and bone should not be included under type ; but unless a bird is 
big and of good bone, he is not a typical Rock, and never mind how symmetrical, truly shaped, and 
correctly marked, if small must be discarded, as we want to advance towards turkey weights, and not to recede 
by breeding pretty little in-bred ^iione-backs. It cannot be emphasised too strongly that the typical Rock is a 
big hardy-constitutioned, general utility Fowl, a bird that by its wonderful capacity to put on thick flesh will 
improve our export trade, and at the same time lay as many, if not more eggs than any other table breed, 
and, with these two talents combined in the one carcase, will earn its oats with any Fowl living, and be a 
real help to the Farmer in paying the rent, or wiping off the mortgage. That is why so especially in Rocks, 
type, and plenty of it, must take precedence of, and get more credit than mere Fancy Points, Some 
authorities are content with 9 lbs. as the minimum weight for an adult cock ; but as it is as easy, if working 
on proper lines, to breed Rocks over ro lbs. as over 9 lbs., and every pound of increase in the average 
weight adds greatly to the value of the breed as a Table Fowl, we are quite justified in fixing 10 lbs. as the 
minimum for adult cocks, and 8 lbs. for hens. Cocks of 12 lbs. or over, and hens of 10 lbs. or more, if of 
good type, and good in other respects, should be allotted 10 points extra for increase in size. Good bone is a 
strong point, being one of the surest indications in this breed of sound constitution. So for this reason 
alone it claims a high position ; but when it is remembered that in the economy of all living branches of 
Nature, whether it be man, beast, fish or fowl, heavy flesh-carrying capabilities always follow good and 
