258 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
Strictly, from a Fancier's point of view, the uncertainty in breeding true to colour is a somewhat unsatis- 
factory trait in the Malay. But the class ' Malays — any other colour,' which is always found in our S.A. 
Poultry and Dog Society's schedule, I look upon as an important factor in preventing that deterioration 
which results in breeds in which hard-and-fast rules as to colour and markings obtain. In most breeds 
Fanciers have, no doubt, found, to their great annoyance, that the largest and most vigorous cockerel of the 
year has some defect in colour, which precludes the possibility of breeding from him, for fear of his 
transmitting the objectionable feature to his offspring. But, so long as the class for any other colour is 
maintained in the Malay section, the Fancier can both show and breed from his best and strongest birds, 
notwithstanding defects in colour. Our climate appears to be very suitable to Malays. They seem to revel 
in our bright, dry, summer weather, and grow remarkably fast during that season. Chicks hatched in 
August or September (unless the season is very late) appear to thrive better than those hatched earlier. 
Some of our breeders favour bringing out the chickens in the Autumn, as soon as the hens begin to lay after 
the moult, and although I have seen some splendid birds which were hatched at that time, I noticed that 
most of them had more feather, and of a looser character than a good Malay should carry. This defect 
I attribute to the fact that Nature adapts itself to the wants of its creatures, and kindly clothes the chicks 
for the winter, instead of allowing them to shiver through it in the almost naked state in which they are 
found during the summer. I am afraid the number of Malay Fanciers will always be somewhat limited, 
because their peculiar appearance and cruel disposition are not calculated to charm anyone of sesthetic 
tastes. One's first experience with them is also very likely to be very discouraging. You probably go out to 
feed the chicks in the morning, and discover them scattered about in odd corners, scalped and blinded for 
the time, as the result of a free fight all round, and this with chickens only four or five weeks old. But, if 
you can put up with their peculiarities for the first season, or until you have tested their quality on the table, 
and the rich flavour of their eggs, I think you will be quite disposed to continue keeping them — at least such 
has been my experience, and that of most others of my acquaintance." 
Schedule for Judging Malays, 
general char acterlstics of cock. 
Head and Xeck. — Beak, stout at base, strong, and hooked ; Comb, small, set well forward, shaped like 
a half walnut, as free from irregularities as possible, firmly set on the head ; Skull, very broad ; Eyes, deep 
set ; EvcbroiL'S, overhanging, and beetle-browed, giving a morose and cruel expression ; ]Vattlcs and Ear- 
lobes, small, the skin of the throat being bare of feathers for some distance down the neck ; Xeck, long, 
carried very u[)right, with slight but characteristic curve ; Hackle, full at base of skull, otherwise very short 
and scanty. 
Body. — Very wide and square at shoulders, and tapering to the tail ; Shoulders, very wide, prominent 
carried well up, and usually bare of feathers at the butts ; Back, long, sloping, and rather convex in outline ; 
Saddle, narrow and drooping, the feather short, and scanty like the hackle ; Breast, deep and full, generally 
bare of feathers at point of breast-bone, the under-part of body presenting a clean cut-up appearance to vent. 
Legs and Feet. — Thighs, long, stout, strong, and very muscular, with but little feather, leaving the 
hocks perfectly exposed ; Shanks, long, massive, and beautifully scaled, flat at hocks, and gradually rounding 
to setting on of spurs, a downward curve in spur to be preferred ; Toes, long, straight, and strong, with 
powerful talons, the back toe to extend straight back, and lie close to the ground. 
Tail. — Drooping, not whipped, of moderate length, sickles narrow, wiry, very pointed, and slightly curved. 
General Appearance. — Tall, commanding, fierce, and gaunt looking. 
Carriage. — Very upright, high in front, and drooping behind. 
HEN. 
The hen is the facsimile of the cock in general shape, head qualities, etc., making allowance for 
difference in sex. She should, however, carry her tail a little higher than the cock, and a trifle fuller 
Weight — Cocks, from lo to 13 lbs. ; hens, from 8 to 10 lbs. 
