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Chapter XXXVII. 
LEGHORNS. 
This breed of Poultry, though comparatively of recent introduction to Enghsh-speaking countries, possesses 
a lineage quite as long as the best known varieties. Tiie various colours of Leghorns — White, Brown, Buff, 
Mottled, etc.— are the common Fowl of Italy, and have been bred in that country for very many centuries. 
The name which the tribe now bears is derived from the fact that they were first imported to America from 
the port of Leghorn, in Italy. The earliest authentic record we have of the breed's first introduction to 
America is the statement made by Mr. O. H. Peck, of Franklin, Massachusetts, who states : " In 1835 Mr. 
N. P. Wood, of Fulton Street, New York City, U.S A., received as a present some of these Fowls direct 
from Leghorn. They were of the Brown variety." At the same time great controversy has arisen as to the 
actual date of their first importation, Mr. I. K. Felch, the eminent Poultry Judge of America, stating " that 
1853 was the first year. In the year 1858 the \Vhites were first introduced, and in 1863 the "Stetson " birds 
were imported. These two importations varied considerably in type, and the difference in the colour of 
the legs was most pronounced. Those imported in 1858 had ivliitc legs, those in 1863 yellow legs and clear 
yellow beaks. It seems certain that the first importations were mostly mongrels, as rose-combed chickens 
were produced from single-combed parent stock." Again, a visit to Italy at the present time in search of 
" Leghorns," as we are familiar with them, would be an almost hopeless task, as in nearly every village 
Browns, Blacks, Whites, Buffs, and Cuckoos would be found running together, and in-breeding at will. In 
their native home the Fowl is valued for the number of eggs they lay, and for table use, " Fancy Points" 
being ignored entirely. This gave the American Fancier an opportunity to separate them into families, and fix 
the type and markings definitely. There are now bred in that country Single and Rose-Combed Browns, Single 
and Rose-Combed Whites, Blacks, Buffs, Piles, Cuckoo, and Silver and Golden Duckwings, and still another 
variety of the tribe, called Partridge, or Golden Pencilled. This latter variety was first exhibited in 1896, at 
the Ayer Show, Mass., U.S.A., by Mr. C. C. Wood. This gentleman states that several of his Single 
Combed Brown pullets sported regular marked Partridge colour, and these he mated back to the old cock bird 
with wonderful success. This year was the first time he exhibited them, and while he says that they are not 
ready to be sold as a new breed, he believes in another year he will have the type fixed, and that they will 
breed true. AVhile the feathering is exactly similar to the Partridge Cochin, he declares that no foreign 
blood has been introduced whatever, but that it all came about accidentally, and he determined to make the 
most of it. He prefers the name Golden Pencilled in preference to Partridge Leghorns, as he does not wish 
it to conflict with the new variety (Partridge Wyandottes). 
The first notice of the breed being introduced into Great Britain was in 1872, being exported to 
that country from America. At first the Browns were called " Red " Leghorns. They grew rapidly in 
popular favour, proving themselves to be marvellous egg-producers. That this race of Fowls must be of 
astounding vigour, and of great antiquity, is beyond doubt, and they most certainly date back to a period 
long before the Christian Era. In proof of the latter fact, in the National Museum, at Naples, among the 
thousands of valuable treasures excavated from the ruins of Pompeii, are some beautiful and well preserved 
Mosaics. Among these there is a fine Mosaic of a cock, life-size, in all the splendour of colouring of the 
Modern Brown Leghorn of to-day. It is composed of minute pieces of coloured marble and glass — the 
colours absolutely imperishable, and is, therefore, an eloquent testimonial as to the ancient lineage of the 
race. Another Mosaic, in the same collection, represents a Brown Leghorn hen in general colour, but with 
a slight sprinkling of white on the cushion. 
