Black J a vas. 
441 
carriage will be the chief preservatives against the imposition of mere crosses, and the variety 
should, in all but colour, conform to the ordinary Wyandotte standards. Of course, the difficulty 
of marking will not be encountered in this breed, which is to be regarded as simply a white 
fowl with the economic qualities of the Wyandotte. In this case the under-fluff also should be 
white. 
At the date on our title-page there cannot be said to be any “accepted” standard for judging 
Wyandottes. That first adopted by the English club is seriously faulty in several respects, as is 
now known to all the best breeders of the fowl, and as will be seen from the foregoing remarks. 
That given presently is therefore drawn up by ourselves, from our own study and judgment, and 
after careful examination of the classes for several years, being chiefly based upon the American 
standard. It at least describes what the fowl ought to be, if it is to be preserved to us ; and we 
have some hope, judging from the results of our taking a similar course in regard to Leghorns 
and some other cases, that this schedule may do good service for a time, and effect some im- 
provement in breeding and judging. If it shall then pave the way for something more definite 
and authoritative, we shall gladly adopt the latter in its place into future editions of these pages. 
BLACK JAVAS. — It is in many respects very strange that so attractive and useful a fowl as 
the Black Java should have been known in America from such an early date, and yet only lately 
have attracted any particular attention. It is described in Dr. Bennett’s and other American poultry 
books from 1850 onwards, and some eighteen or twenty years later, undoubtedly shared in the 
production of the Plymouth Rock ; but we cannot hear of any being imported into England 
before 1885. In that year pens were obtained by Mr. Pettipher and several other fanciers ; but 
for several years later the breed was hardly to be seen at any of the shows, and even up to the 
date of this, is rarely met with in exhibition. We know the stock to be making way, however, 
in many quarters, and growing in popularity ; and as the fowl appears a very distinct and useful 
one, peculiarly adapted for many individuals whose opportunities are limited, we hope it may 
become popular and widely spread. 
The Black Java is a handsome and very “distinctive” fowl. ' It is of the large type, the 
cocks reaching 10 lbs. and the hens 8 lbs., but good average weights in this country (so far) have 
been a pound less than this. The plumage is close, of a very glossy black all over, with green 
reflections. The legs are black also, with generally a yellow shade under the feet, and a tendency 
to get rather willow with age ; but black throughout is to be preferred, and is often found. 
The deaf-ears are red, and there are distinctive points about both the eye and the comb ; 
in our own opinion, these are the most truly characteristic points of the fowl. The latter is 
single, rather small, but somewhat thick at the base, and in the main evenly serrated ; but the 
serrations commence farther behind the beak than usual, leaving a kind of smooth edge first. 
The desire for “ even serration ” may, perhaps, tend to breed this out ; but we have found it so 
often, in different strains, and so characteristic, that we sincerely hope it may be recognised as 
the typical and proper “Java comb,” and so preserved. The eye stands alone, so far as we have 
observed, except in a few Langshans. It is brown, very large and full, and of a peculiarly soft 
ani yet sprightly expression, difficult to describe. The body of the fowl should be full and deep 
the legs only medium in length, the cock’s tail rather full and flowing, but not squirrel-fashion 
the accompanying illustration of a pair of chickens, from the Fancier's Gazette , shows a tail not fully 
matured, or else not quite so full as in other specimens we have met with. There are, however, 
some with tails even smaller, and the point is one we have some doubt about. Asiatics as a 
class undoubtedly have tails which, however they vary, are smaller than those of Western breeds, 
