Judging Malays. 
281 
Fig. 68. 
JUDGING MALAYS. — There are only a few judges who seem to understand the proper 
characteristics of Malays at all, and we have at different times seen 
the most flagrant errors on this account. Even at Birmingham, on 
one occasion, we observed the second prize given to a hen which, 
except that she was very “ shiny,” had hardly a single Malay point, 
being short-legged, flat-backed, with an upstanding and well-spread 
tail, and, to crown all, with a single comb ! Such a bird would not 
have been even commended by a good judge of the breed ; and the 
chief Malay points being very easily recognised, every one liable to 
be called upon to act as judge should have them clearly in his mind. 
The long neck, great comparative height, high carriage of head, and 
high and prominent shoulders, can easily be remembered, and should always be looked for. The 
back will always droop towards the tail, and the hen should also “ play ” her tail well, as a well- 
bred bird always will. In the cock, the outline of the hackle, back, and upper tail-feathers should 
resemble as nearly as possible the ideal line shown in Fig. 68, which is composed of three similar 
lines, combined at very nearly equal angles. Birds which meet this description, and are of average 
size, and in fair condition, will, at all events, be pretty good Malays, whatever shortcomings in 
colour they may have. 
As regards colour, white and black are of course definite enough. Brassy-winged birds are 
also admissible, and in Piles of course some latitude must be allowed, as must be the case with the 
various “ Reds ” which are most usually shown. Regarding these latter, all that should be required 
is, that the colours are such as evidently show true and careful breeding, and are not the result of 
blind chance. For example, if a cock be evidently of the Black-red type, brown feathers in his 
breast are regarded as a great blemish ; but if evidently a Brown-red bird, his general colour 
should harmonise with that school of feather. On the whole, black-red cocks with the cinnamon 
hens form the vast majority of the specimens seen at shows, and white birds are generally inferior 
in size and hardness of feather. Black are very rare. We have seen now and then some really 
magnificent Piles. 
In giving a scale of points for Malays, we have had to depend far more upon our own indi- 
vidual judgment than in most breeds. That in the earlier American “Standard of Excellence” is 
worthless ; and Mr. Tegetmeier’s is so erroneous in the very description as to be of little use even for 
comparison. It does not appear, in fact, to understand this breed at all ; for, in addition to mis- 
takes as to the proper plumage, it also states that the tail of the hen should be “ carried upright,” and 
that the eyes of both sexes must be “bright fiery red.” In point of fact, there never was a Malay 
with red eyes ; they are invariably pearl, yellow, or daw. While, therefore, we can answer for our 
descriptions, which are now followed in the American Standard, it will be understood that the scale 
of points is, from sheer necessity in this case, very largely the result of our own individual judgment. 
SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING MALAYS. 
General Characteristics of Cock.— Head and Neck — General appearance of head skinny, morose, and cruel; oeak 
heavy, strong, and hooked ; comb resembling a half strawberry or walnut, rather small, firm, and not falling over, placed well 
forward; wattles and deaf-cars scanty; face and throat bare of feathers; eyebrows heavy and projecting, adding to the sour 
expression. Neck long, very little curved, and carried very upright ; the hackle very short and scanty. Body— General shape 
rather long and thin, large at shoulders, and tapering to the tail ; back long, slanting, and rather convex in outline ; saddle narrow 
and very drooping, the feathers short and scanty like the hackle ; wings bony, very prominent at the shoulders, and rather long • 
breast hard, but very full, the breast-bone very deep and prominent. Legs and Fed — Thighs long, hard, and round ; the featherj 
very short, leaving the hock perfectly exposed ; shanks very long and bony, without a vestige of feather, and beautifully scaled . 
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