29G 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
fine stud of them, and I first interested myself in the breed in this Colony some ten or twelve years ago, 
when I obtained the best birds available here at that time. None of these (except, perhaps, a cockerel 
purchased from the late Mr. De Moor) would be considered an acquisition to any Andalusian breeders' pens 
of to-day, and, though subsequent importations from England made an improvement for some years, it was 
not until I purchased Captain Egerton Jones' first Crystal Palace Cockerel, 1891, that I felt I had obtained 
the blood of a strain that were truly typical Andalusians, according to my own views. Further purchases 
from the same gentleman of several of his Crystal Palace and Dairy Show Cup, Medal, and prize winners, 
confirmed my idea that this was the type really sought after by English breeders. From a number of 
Standards collected by the late Captain Egerton Jones from different Andalusian breeders, copies of which 
he very kindly sent to me, and which were published in that excellent monograph ' The Blue Andalusian,' by 
' Silver Dun.' I select his own, which is as follows : — Cock : Size and Shape. — As large as possible, 
consistent with symmetry, with long shanks and thighs ; breast, full and round ; back, wide, with rounded 
shoulders tapering to tail, which should be rather depressed, and not fan-shaped. Colour. — Hackles, dense 
lustrous black, resting well down on shoulders, so that, when standing erect, the whole back appears one 
unbroken surface of black colour ; breast, clear, light silver blue, each feather edged with sharp (not too 
narrow) black lacings, reaching to thighs and fluff ; tail, same colour as breast, with sickles darker, or even 
black ; top sickle feathers lower than top tail feathers ; wings, same shade as breast, with each feather laced 
with black ; legs, dark slate colour. Hcad^ Comb, Face, Lobes, etc. — Head, moderate size ; comb, slightly 
following curve of neck, straight, firm, broad at base, with from four to six serrations deeply cut, no side 
sprigs or thumb marks ; lobes, fair size, pure white, smooth, rather round than almond shape ; eyes, reddish 
brown (not orange colour) ; face, bright red, free from white ; wattles, long, without folds. 
" Hen. — Size and Shape. — Large as possible, with rounded breast ; tail, carried rather low, and slightly 
compressed. Colour and Lacings. — Same as breast of cock, viz., light silver blue, with perfectly black 
lacings (not too fine), all over to end of tail, if possible, with exception of glossy black hackle at top, ending 
in laced feathers on shoulders. Head Points. — Head, fair size, with rather large comb, rising straight from 
beak and falling over one side, with deeply-cut serrations. Face, Lobes, and Legs. — Same as cock. 
" Defects. — White in face, red lobes, high tail, white feathers, grey hackle in cock, or comb over, or erect 
comb in hen ; sooty ground colour in either. 
" Disqualifications. — Red feathers, rusty hackle or saddle, more than four toes to each foot, feathers on 
legs, etc. 
" Mr. Edwin Merrall's ideas are in accord with the above Standard with regard to colour and head 
points, and he describes shape thus: 'Long in leg and thigh, large breast, full and round, and long graceful 
neck ; tail carried low, and not fan-shaped.' And Mr. Francis Baker describes shape in somewhat similar 
terms, viz. : ' Long on the leg, with massive and prominent thighs, prominent breast, head carried well back, 
tail carried rather low and compact, plenty of bulk and weight, and yet alert in carriage,' and he also agrees 
with Captain Egerton Jones' views on colour and markings. The above descriptions give such an excellent 
idea of what a perfect Andalusian should be that it is quite unnecessary to make any addition thereto, so I 
will turn to other general points appertaining to the breed. There is one great drawback to the popularity of 
the Andalusian, which makes breeders, who do not understand it, fight shy of the breed, and that is they do 
not breed ' true to colour,' or, rather, a percentage of the chickens will be either entirely black, or white 
speckled with blue. This drawback is, however, not so alarming as it seems at first sight ; and, after a 
careful study of the breed, I am convinced that a discerning and scientific breeder can mate a pen of 
Andalusians that will produce as good a percentage of Show specimens, for the number of chickens hatched, 
as is obtainable in any other ' colour breed,' and with the advantage that a certain number of his ' culls ' can 
be disposed of as soon as they leave the shell. 
" As layers, Andalusians are equalled by few, and surpassed by none ; they do not sit, and their eggs are 
both large and numerous, and with pure white shells. As table birds they have not the size and weight of 
