318 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
Buff Leghorns have not yet reached the high standard of the other colours, most of the cocks having 
more or less white in tail, and mealy in the flights ; the pullets, however, are bred much nearer the Standard 
requirements. The cock should be of a sound l^mon or orange buff colour in breast and under-parts ; the 
hackle, back, shoulders, and saddle, either lemon or orange buff, but of a deeper tint ; the tail, the same 
colour as the breast. The hen should be of one uniform shade of lemon or orange buff, the hackle alone 
being a shade deeper in tint. It is, however, rare indeed to find birds of either sex exhibiting the true 
Leghorn characteristics with the above-mentioned colour. There is in this variety great scope for the skill of 
the breeder. 
Black Leghorns need little description, as they should be the counterparts of their white brethren in 
shape, etc., substituting black plumage for white. In the Blacks, a perfectly black tail is seldom seen, 
most birds showing white feathers, or black edged with white. Another difficulty in breeding the Black 
Leghorn is the colour of the beak and legs, the majority of the birds running sooty or yellowish-black. 
That this fault can be eradicated by care in breeding is beyond doubt, and in all probability a few years at 
most will find dark legs in Elack Leghorns a thing of the past. The plumage of both cock and hen should 
be a bright, lustrous black. This variety must not be confounded with the Black Minorca, the style and 
shape of the birds being wide apart, besides the difference in colour of beak and legs. 
Mottled or Spangled Leghorns are somewhat similar to the Brown variety, but the whole plumage is 
spotted with splashes of white similar to the old-fashioned Spangled English Game Fowl. 
Rose-combed Leghorns are found in both White and Brown, and are identical in all respects with birds 
of those colours, with the exception of the comb, which should resemble the Hamburgs. As to their purity 
there is some doubt, but as to their laying qualifications there are none. The other colours, as occasionally 
exhibited, scarcely call for more than passing comment, but all seem to possess the main feature of the breed 
in being classed as first-rate layers — hardy, active, and vigorous birds. 
We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. AV. Samson, the Hen. Sec. of the Victorian Spanish^ Anda- 
lusiaii, Minorca and Leghorn Cliih, for the Club's Standard for Leghorns. This is as follows : — 
General Characteristics. 
THE COCK. 
The Head should be deep, not too long, but greatly resembling the head of the Spanish. The Beak. — 
Rather long and straight, of a yellow colour, although horn colour, or a stripe of that colour running down 
the front (except in the White variety) is not a disqualification, and will be found in eighteen out of every 
twenty birds. The Conih. — Single, of a bright red, fine in texture, large in size, but not nearly so big as that 
of the Minorca, deeply and well serrated. Some Fanciers maintain that there should be only five points ; 
but it is childish to stick at a "point" What matters it if there be a point more or less, provided the 
serrations be tolerably even, and the comb well carried. The Comb should be firmly set on, and extend well 
over the back of the head, free from side sprigs, twists, or thumb marks. The Face. — Bright red, free from 
wrinkles or white spots. Eycs.—'R.Qd, bright, and sparkling. Wattles. — Bright red, rather long and thin, of 
fine texture, and without folds. The Lobes, or Deaf-ears. — 'Well developed, more pendent than round, 
smooth, and free from folds or red spots. There has been much controversy about this all-important point, 
some Judges and Breeders making it a sine qua non that the lobes should be of a pure and spotless white. 
Though the white lobe is very ornamental and showy, yet it is not natural. The original and natural tint 
was cream. By this, bright yellow is not meant, but the colour of ivory. It is simply the Breeders' art that 
has produced the pure white. W^hen the legs, beak, and flesh are yellow, it is contrary to Nature for the 
lobes to be pure white. That pure white lobes have been obtained is an undoubted fact. But how ? Not 
by breeding from pure Leghorns, but by crossing with the Minorca. This has given increased size to the 
lobe, as well as purity of colour. But what has followed ? Why, white spots on the face, and in some 
cockerels the face has been as nearly white as that of the Spanish. Shutting the bird in a dark pen will help 
