Standards for Judging. 
229 
So much for theory. In practice, we found that when thus remodelled, nearly all the 
exceptions remaining in our note-book, and which we had regarded as irreconcilable with any 
fixed “standards” at all, now disappeared, falling within the rules. In fact, not one such 
exception remained in the breeds we best understood personally ; and hence it appeared 
probable that with further study even the few left might be resolved. We have not, therefore, 
shrunk from recasting the whole of our scales, and finally present them in the shape they now 
assume. Using no false mask of “ authority,” we present them avowedly as our own, on their 
own merits, with the remark that they do not in many points represent what we think ought to 
be the standard, but are simply an attempt to follow the best judges, and tabulate and trans- 
late their views, as shown by their decisions in actual classes. In many points we would wish 
values to be otherwise ; but have found the figures which would represent these wishes so 
constantly overruled that we have been forced to modify them. So different are “ideas” or 
“ committee ’’-work to the teaching of actual competition, that a really correct scale will, until 
tested, often appear actually absurd. But let the reader select from our schedules that for 
any breed which he thoroughly understands : let him take that schedule and that only, and, 
before a number of pens, test it by the awards of proved and skilful judges ; and we believe 
he will find that both their successes, and — if they have made any — equally their mistakes, 
will still give to our figures a practical endorsement which no others will be able to claim. 
We make this statement advisedly after due comparison. 
We make these remarks because since the publication of the scales which follow, the 
preparation of a “ Standard ” has been undertaken by the Poultry Club, and has been already 
published for a certain number of the principal breeds. On the one hand, the soundness of 
the views we have expressed has been recognised, and our own method followed, so far as 
concerns the adoption of scales for defects as the principle of tabulation. This is a great 
improvement on the older standards. On the other hand, all the points of defect are brought 
within a total of 100 points ; and however theoretically symmetrical this plan may appear, we 
are convinced that, for reasons explained above, neither such a rounded-off total, nor points 
reduced to even “ fives,” can ever practically represent actual judging so correctly as the freer 
handling we have adopted. A “standard” thus constructed, and determined on in conference, 
will in fact rather represent what a number of experts think ought to be judging, than what 
is ; and the difference we have endeavoured to point out. On the whole, therefore, what we 
have seen does not so far weaken our confidence in our own schedules, which have under- 
gone the necessary revision from time to time. This last process will always be necessary, we 
fear ; since judging itself changes, as we have already seen. The scales for this and some other 
breeds are accordingly altered considerably in some points since the first edition, not as being 
revised by us, but as following a judging which itself is manifestly altered. 
The chief alterations from this cause are specified at the end of the schedule. 
SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING COCHINS. 
General Characteristics of Cock.— Head an, l Neck— General appearance of head small and good-tempered; beak 
curved, rather short, and very stout at the base, resembling in shape a parrot’s bill ; comb single, upright, neatly arched, perfectly 
straight, free from excrescences, fine in texture, and symmetrically notched or serrated : wattles long, thin, and pendent ; deaf-ears 
sufficiently developed to hang nearly or quite as low as the wattles; neck rather short, and carried somewhat forward, thickly 
furnished with hackle, and handsomely curved, the hackle flowing gracefully over the shoulders. Body— General appearance large 
and deep ; the back broad but very short ; saddle very broad and large, with a gradual and decided rise towards the tail, forming 
a harmonious line with that member ; wings small and closely clipped up, the flights being neatly and entirely tucked under the 
U 
