Andalusians. 
295 
with ' Keating's ' powder. Is is a good plan when the chickens are just hatched to rub some creosote and 
vaseline mixture on their heads, and to repeat this every week. 
"Preparation for Exhibition. — No very special directions are needed with regard to birds intended 
for Exhibition. The most important matter to which attention should be given is the necessity of keeping 
them out of the sun, which in this latitude soon scorches the plumage, and turns it dull, and dry, and rusty. 
By no means should they be shut up in the dark, as that would make the face pale ; but the pens should be 
well sheltered by creepers, or trees, so arranged, if possible, that the sun may shine full on to every part of 
it in turn for a short time every day, while at that time the rest is protected from its rays. 
" Backward birds may be pushed along by closer confinement in warm quarters, and the comb may be 
very much assisted by constant manipulation with the fingers. 
" During the moulting season such birds as are Hkely to be exhibited may be given some saccharated 
carbonate of iron mixed with the pollard, about a teaspoonful to every six or eight birds, as this seems to 
supply what is wanted to put colouring matter into the feathers. For a few weeks, also, before the Show, a 
little whole linseed boiled, and mixed with the pollard, and a little hemp seed, or sunflower seed with the 
grain, will help to put a gloss on the feathers ; but it must not be forgotten that this sheen is a sign of good 
health, and if the birds are not healthy, nothing will make their plumage glossy. 
" Andalusians do not, as a rule, require much washing. If necessary, it must be carefully done, and the 
birds thoroughly dried. A little camphorated oil may be put on the face, comb, wattles, etc., but it must be 
rubbed off again, or dust will adhere to it. 
" As a last word of advice, I would say, ' do all that you can by careful mating to improve the breed, 
exhibit honestly, and take a beating like a man.' " 
For the following interesting and instructive notes on this class of Fowl we are indebted to that celebrated 
breeder and exhibitor of the variety, Mr. F. G. Edmondson, "Beulah," Hawthorn, Victoria, who writes : — 
" The origin of this very handsome and useful Fowl is enveloped in a certain amount of mystery. 
Some authorities say that it was first introduced into England some forty or fifty years ago from the Spanish 
province of Andalusia, from which it derives its name, and there appears to be no doubt that birds of similar 
colour and shape were brought over from there. Others hold that it is a chance production, the result of 
crossing Black Spanish with white or light coloured Fowls, such colours often producing blue or slate 
coloured birds. Whatever the origin really was matters little to breeders of the present time, as the 
Andalusian, having for so many years been bred and exhibited as a quite distinct breed, may now lay claim 
to be as pure as almost any breed that is in the hands of Fanciers or others. That other breeds have been 
crossed with the Andalusian, with the object of improving it from a Fancier's point of view, cannot be denied, 
and both Spanish and Minorca blood have been introduced, for the purpose of increasing the size and 
whiteness of the lobe, the size and shape of the comb, and to secure the lacing sharper, and more 
pronounced. 
" These crosses were not an unmixed advantage, as, though the objects of improvement were gained — 
particularly to the head points — faults were at the same time introduced, such as white faces from the 
Spanish, and the heavier and less sprightly build of the Minorca. These faults are gradually being eradicated, 
the white specks in the face are becoming less and less apparent, till it is not an unusual occurrence to find 
good classes of Andalusian almost entirely without this defect, whilst the upright and attractive carriage of 
the true Andalusian is becoming more pronounced. 
" The Andalusian, being more especially a ' Colour ' breed, attention was not given for many years to 
breeding out the effect of Minorca blood on the shape, and birds are still exhibited that are practically ' Blue 
Minorcas.' However, some breeders have persistently adhered to the true shape, which is very similar to 
that of the Black Spanish, though a little more ' Gamey ' than even that breed. Amongst such breeders 
were the late and much lamented Captain T. Egerton Jones, Mr. Edwin Merrall, Mr. D. Butterfield, Mr. 
Francis Baker, and others. My own fancy for the breed was formed in England, where a neighbour kept a 
