288 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
depends on circumstances, and if the run be fairly large, and there is nothing about the fence to tempt them 
up, they will be content to remain below. The Fancier would do well, if possible, to cover the top as well 
as the sides of the pen with wire netting ; but to the Farmer, or to anyone else whose space is unlimited, 
or who does not desire to mate his birds in any particular way, this flightiness does not matter, and to my 
mind there is no prettier sight in the Poultry world than a number of ' true blues ' at large in a well-grassed 
paddock. 
"The fact that the chickens come while or black, or black and white, as well as blue has been mentioned, 
but this is of no importance in the connection now under consideration ; indeed, my experience has been 
that these ' off-coloured birds ' are, if anything, the best layers. 
"Another feature of the breed is that the hens are non-sitters, a fact that may suit some and not others, 
but, now that incubators are so largely and successfully used, it will probably be considered rather an 
advantage than otherwise. 
" As Table Fowls, Andalusians have not been given so high a place as they deserve. They are certainly 
not as large as some other breeds, and that they have dark legs would (most absurdly, I think) tell against 
them, at least in the English market ; but their flesh is white and sweet, and they have plenty on the breast 
when in proper condition. Finally, for crossing to improve egg-production in a mixed flock of hens the 
cockerels are very useful, and for this purpose the off-coloured ones should find ready sale. 
Fancy Points and Standard. 
" For the Fancier, Andalusians possess very special attractions. Even as now seen they are very pretty, 
and perfection has by no means yet been reached, so that there is something to work for in that direction. 
Then there is that oft-quoted difficulty of getting them to breed true to colour, which to the true Fancier is 
surely an incentive to further exertion, for by careful selection a time must come when that reproach will be 
a thing of the past ; even now great strides are being made in that respect. I have no sympathy with those 
' press-the-button ' people who wish to have only to put down so many eggs to get as many chicks up to 
Standard form. Something to strive after, however difficult of attainment, seems to me to be the essence of 
the cult. 
"Turning, then, to characteristics of the breed, which it will be the aim of the Fancier to produce, the 
following is : — 
The Standard issued by the L., P-R., and Andalusian Club. 
Colour of Cock and Hen. 
Beak. — Dark horn colour ; Eye^ bright orange or red ; Comb, Wattles, and Face, brilliant red ; 
Ear-lobes, pure opaque white ; Legs, dark leaden blue ; Breast, a deep blue ; Plumage, a deep slate blue, 
with a lacing of darker colour, or even black, on each feather is preferable ; and, in cock, hackle, saddle, 
and sickle should be black or deep purple, with a rich gloss. 
General Characteristics. 
COCK. 
Head. — General appearance, large and deep ; Beak, rather long, but not thin ; Comb, medium and single, 
perfectly straight and upright, and deeply serrated ; Wattles, very long, fine, and thin in texture ; Face, 
fine in quality, bare of feathers, and free from white ; Ear-lobes, medium, smooth, flat, fitting close to the 
head, and free from wrinkles ; Neck, long, carried well back, with flowing hackle ; Body, general appearance 
light and active, broad at shoulders, tapering to the tail ; Back, rather round, and slanting to tail ; Wings, 
long, but carried tightly to the body, the long back feathers coming well over the points ; Breast, rounded, 
and carried well forward ; Legs and F'ect, rather long, free from feathers, and toes thin ; Tail, sickles arched, 
and carried well up, but not squirrel fashion ; Size, large ; Carriage, very upright and strutting. 
hen. 
General characteristics resembling cock, with the usual sexual differences, except that the comb falls 
over to one side. 
