Peculiarities of Polish Fowls. 
397 
most singular protuberance towards the front of the top of the head, from which protuberance the 
crest grows ; and, secondly, by virtue of the law that excess of growth in one part is frequently 
accompanied by defect in some other part, there is a chasm in the intermaxillary bones, which in 
ordinary fowls extend over and support the roof of the nostrils, but in Polish leave the superior 
edges entirely unsupported. Owing to this deficiency in bony structure, the nostrils of a Polish 
fowl appear flattened, depressed, and yet cavernous in character, as shown in Fig. 88. These 
differences are marked enough, and the advocates of development would appear at first sight to 
have a strong point in their favour ; but the teaching of experience demolishes any theory which 
may be built upon them by the simple fact that both distinctions are of the most transitory 
kind, or the introduction of a single cross and careful breeding afterwards, speedily eradicating 
the whole, and the crest with them, as if they had never been. 
Fig-. 88 . — Head op a Common Polish Fowl, showing the Cavernous Nostrils. 
o 
The varieties of Polish known to fanciers are rather numerous, but only three are generally 
seen at shows ; the White-crested Black, which has wattles but no beard, and the Gold and Silver- 
Spangled varieties, which are now shown without wattles, the vacancy being supplied with a full 
beard or muff under the throat. This latter point used to occasion some debate in poultry circles ; 
but the bearded birds have long since carried the day, and can alone be shown with success in 
England, being in almost every case also superior in size of crest. In America beardless Spangled 
Polish are still occasionally shown, all varieties of this fowl being somewhat scarce ; but as breeders 
procure more stock and attain a higher standard, there can be no doubt that the much finer 
appearance of the bearded birds will there also give them the preference over those destitute of 
this appendage. 
Mr. Beldon has kindly furnished the following notes on Spangled Polish fowls : — 
“ There used to be varieties without beards both of Golden and Silver Polish. These had long 
been known in England, but were deficient in size of crest, which was much smaller than in the 
