340 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
even better than their close relations, the Blue Andalusian. They, however, possess this advantage over the 
the latter, in this, that if a few black or speckled feathers appear in some of the birds bred, they, being extra 
large and heavily-fleshed birds, are worth the cost of rearing for Table purposes alone, which cannot be truly 
said about the Andalusian. This present season the percentage of chickens produced with black or foul 
markings has not exceeded lo per cent., and I hope by next year to have a much smaller percentage of culls. 
As layers I will match them against any other pure-bred variety, especially in the winter, and their eggs are 
of a good size, and slightly tinted. They do not, as a rule, develop the incubating instinct more than once 
in a season. 
" These birds being of good size, with ichitc skin, long, broad back, with deep, wide, meaty breasts, are 
excellent Table Fowls, and would be a very suitable class of Fowl for export to the London market, or, for 
that matter, any other market where a good Fowl is appreciated. I have not as yet pushed them to any 
extent, being desirous of having them fixed definitely before introducing the breed to the notice of the 
general public, but I disposed of a few specimens to different breeders, amongst others some to Mr. E. 
Butcher, of Sydney, N.S.AV., who speaks in the very highest terms of their economic qualities. The N.S.W. 
P.P.C. and D. Society allotted classes for the breed at the 1896 Show, and some good specimens were 
exhibited, and in all probability the classes will be much larger each year It is a difficult task to perfectly 
describe a bird on paper, but I will endeavour to give a fair idea of the general appearance of the Royal 
Blues. In size and style they should resemble a short-legged Langshan, with the same leg-feathering as that 
breed, but differ from the Langshan in having a triple or pea comb ; this is a distinctive characteristic, the 
Blue Langshan having a single comb. The colour, to be ideally perfect, is that of a well-marked Andalusian, 
but a few streaks in the hackle and saddle are admissible, although this should be avoided as much as 
possible. The shanks are dark blue in colour, the under-part of feet white ; a yellow leg or yellow skin 
should be a disqualification. 
" It will be seen that no one but myself is aware how the breed or variety was manufactured, so that 
there would be a difficulty in obtaining fresh blood. To obviate this, I have commenced breeding from the 
same varieties first used in the composition, using, however, fresh strains of blood in order to procure a cross 
for the present stock without interfering with the type ; and I hope to have some good stock in this second 
batch by 1898, which I think will be quite soon enough to infuse fresh blood." 
General Characteristics. 
COCK. 
Head. — Rather thick across the skull, with strong horn-coloured beak. 
Comb. — Triple or pea. 
Wattles. — Moderate in length, and neatly rounded ; white in face or ear-lobes a defect, but not 
necessarily a disqualification. 
Breast. — Deep and wide, with a long keel or breast-bone. 
Neck. — Slightly arched or curved, with full, flowing hackle, free from curled or twisted feathers. 
Back. — Broad, and of good length from base of neck to root of tail. 
Tail. — Full, and fairly well furnished with silky side sickles, not too long. 
Thighs. — Not too long, but well fleshed, with rather more fluff than the Langshan, but not as much as 
the Cochin. 
Shanhs. — Dark blue, with white soles to the feet, and slightly feathered on leg and outer toe only. 
Colour. —A bright slaty-blue ground colour, with dark or nearly black hackle, back, saddle, and tail 
coverts ; the breast must be laced the same as an Andalusian. 
General Appearance. — That of a quiet-tempered, heavy bird. 
Weight is very important. A well-grown cock should weigh from 9 to 12 lbs. (the heavier the better.) 
HEN. 
The remarks describing the cock will, to a great extent, describe the hen, with, of course, a difference 
in hackle, tail, and saddle. Her shape should resemble that of a good type of Orpington hen. 
