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Chaptkr XXXV. 
ANUALUSIANS. 
The first notice of this breed of Poultry was about forty years ago, some specimens being imported into 
England from Andalusia, in Spain. Many of the original importations had small, upright combs (both 
cocks and hens), somewhat similar to the old-fashioned Game Fowl. These birds were crossed with the 
White-Faced Black Spanish, in order to improve them in head points. That this has not been an unmixed 
blessing is shown, that even at this remote date the chickens vary to a great extent in colour, but by careful 
selection and preference in mating a great deal of this failing has been overcome. The breed possesses 
most of the main characteristics of the rest of the Spanish Family, the hens rarely ever evincing a desire to 
incubate. When of good colour and markings they rank amongst the handsomest and most ornamental of 
our Domestic Poultry, and at the same time possess the great merit of being among the best, if not the best, 
egg-producers, the faulty-coloured hens in particular always excelling in this qualification. 
For the following notes on this valuable variety we are indebted to Mr. H. Montgomerie Hamilton, of 
Petersham, N.S.W., an enthusiastic admirer, breeder, and exhibitor of the Blue Andalusian. Mr. Hamilton 
writes : — 
" Andalusians are, no doubt, closely related to the breeds of Fowls known as Minorcas and Spanish, and 
appear to have been originally natives of the same country, and, like the former, to have been first introduced 
into, and bred in, the South-West of England. The specimens of those early days were, however, very 
different in appearance to those of the present time. The illustration in the first edition of Mr. Lewis 
Wright's book shows birds with plumage uniformly grey throughout, with no trace of the lacing which is now 
a sine qua non. It may, indeed, be said that, as regards the main characteristics of shape and colour, the 
ideal to be aimed at has undergone somewhat pronounced changes. At first the colour was all grey, while 
the shape was of a decidedly " Gamey " type ; then lacing was introduced, and the shape altered to more of 
the Leghorn type ; while at present there is a reversion to the original shape, but the lacing (on a rather paler 
and bluer shade of ground colour) is retained. 
" Ever since their first introduction Andalusians have always been much admired, and their good 
qualities highly appreciated, but owing to the difficulty of producing Show birds, and the fact that all the 
chickens do not come blue, they have not ' caught on ' or been ' boomed ' like some other — in many 
respects inferior — breeds. 
Utility. 
"From the economical point of view Andalusians take high rank, for few, if any, breeds can compare 
with them as egg-producers, while they are easily reared and managed. In N.S.W. many Poultry 
Farmers have testified to their value. Mr. Board places them almost at the top of his list, with an average 
of 185 eggs per hen per annum ; and their eggs, as is well known, are of the largest size, weighing 2 to 
2^ oz. each. Again, it is the common experience that the pullets commence to lay very early, often when 
only four or five months old, and the hens go on laying well till they are of a great age, though it is doubtful 
if it pays to keep them for this purpose after they have attained their third year. One noticeable feature of. 
the breed is the length of time they lay without a break. Many instances have been quoted of periods of 
fifteen and more months, with only a slight irregularity during the moulting season, which with them is rather 
later than with most other breeds. 
Another good point is that they do well in confinement, though, of course, this is to be avoided when 
possible. They are very gentle and tractable, and it has been said that a 6 ft. wire fence will suffice to keep 
them in ; but that has not been my experience, as I have found them very 'flighty.' No doubt a great deal 
