354 2 he Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
selection of stock, rejecting every bird for breeding which shows the faintest trace of red, will keep a 
yard up to a high standard. 
Spanish fowls, as they become old, not unfrequently moult out with many or all of then 
feathers tipped with white, presenting a curious “ magpie ” appearance, not unlike some strains of 
Houdans. This is no evidence whatever of any impurity of blood, but seems strictly analogous 
to the advent of grey or white hair in the human species. Such birds will produce chickens (so 
long as their prolific power lasts) quite as perfect as those which remain quite black. Occasionally 
they will moult entirely white instead of pied ; and even young white birds are sometimes produced. 
Some of these are what physiologists term “albinoes,” having the pink eyes of that peculiar physical 
disposition ; but others merely show the frequent change from white to black and black to white 
which all the feathered tribes often present, and by breeding these carefully the White Spanish 
has been produced. 
The only other variation in plumage necessary to notice is the occurrence of red or reddish- 
golden feathers, more particularly in the cock’s hackles. We have always noticed that birds thus 
disfigured were of the richest and most glossy colour in the yard,* and we never knew a yard at 
all noted for rich and glossy plumage in which such birds were not every now and then produced, 
This is, in fact, the case with every black breed of poultry, the least-established (such as Black 
Cochins) of course suffering most from it, and varieties so long and carefully bred as the Spanish 
being to a great extent free ; but the tendency still exists in all, and is always manifesting itsell 
more or less. We mention the matter partly because Mr. Darwin has on this point made another 
of the mistakes regarding the facts of poultry-breeding to which we have already referred, stating f 
that “ all who know anything of the breeding of poultry will admit that tens of thousands of pure 
Spanish .... have been reared without the appearance of a red feather whereas, all “ who 
know anything” are aware that the fact is precisely opposite, and that these red feathers are just 
what are frequently observed. Of course, tens of thousands of birds free from them are bred, and 
only such are preserved and shown ; but out of the whole “ tens of thousands ” bred by any 
number of fanciers many birds with red feathers may be seen. Such should not be bred from, 
if it be possible ; and by insisting on this rule they may and ought to be reduced to a mere 
per-centage. By adopting a contrary rule, a race of red Spanish might probably be produced 
without much difficulty, if such were desired. 
Coming, as they generally do, from close confinement, Spanish require specially good protection 
on. their journey to and from any show. Even the coarse unbleached linen or canvas generally 
employed to line poultry-baskets is scarcely sufficient if the weather is at all bad ; and most Spanish 
fanciers of our acquaintance prefer to use flannel. This should be well shrunk before being 
employed, which swells the fibres, and affords very efficient protection from cold and draught, 
whilst still giving efficient ventilation. It is also necessary to have the basket sufficiently high 
to prevent the cock by any possibility knocking his comb against the top, which would probably 
cause damage to one or more of the spikes. 
The laying qualities of Spanish are well known. Close breeding has within the last twenty 
years perceptibly diminished the good qualities of many strains, but enough still remains to justify 
a very high character as layers, about 130 eggs per annum being an average many birds will 
attain, if properly fed and managed. The egg is very large, with a smooth white shell, both of 
which qualities cause it to command a good market ; but it must be admitted that to most palates 
* The Rev. W. Serjeantson’s notes on Black Hamburghs will be found to corroborate this exactly, from his experience of 
another breed. 
f “Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication.’ 
