444 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
Bucks County fowl, so far as we can make out, must have been very similar to, if not identical 
with, the Jersey Blue. 
That Americans should have produced so many breeds which have stood the test of time is 
somewhat remarkable. That in all cases they should have deliberately chosen yellow legs is also very 
remarkable, and in singular contrast to average British views on the points of a table fowl. We can, 
however, testify that many yellow-legged fowls (not all by any means) are most delicious eating ; and 
many ot the remarks made on the point by certain Dorking and Langshan authorities betray very 
slight knowdedge of the subject. In America the yellow leg xs preferred on the poulterer’s shop-table ; 
and we mention the matter for various practical reasons. It is not even the fact, as so often alleged, 
that all Cochins have yellow skins. Years ago we have partaken of white Cochins from Mrs. 
Heibei t s strain, which had pinky-white skins, though some of these became yellow after a few 
hours ; others, however, did not. The yellow-legged Brahma of the pure type possessed a pinky- 
white skin ; and all acquainted with the subject know that the yellow-legged Malay is frequently 
a very fine table fowl, as was the old-fashioned short-legged Game with yellow legs. So far as we 
have observed, the most general rule seems to be, that tight plumage goes with a thin and fine skin, 
and loose fluffy plumage with coarse skin. Hence the evil done by breeding the close-feathered 
Brahma to the Cochin type ; hence the benefit of breeding a black Asiatic stock to the Langshan 
iype. And hence we see how the Americans have, by breeding carefully for close-feathered 
models, founded very good table fowls even upon Cochin crosses. 
SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING LEGHORNS. 
General Characteristics of Cock. — Head and Keck — General appearance of head resembling Spanish. Beak rather 
long and stoat, but not heavy ; comb very large, single, perfectly straight and upright, of a handsome outside arch or curve, with 
serrations symmetrically formed and disposed, and free from excrescences ; wattles long, thin, and fine in texture ; face fine in 
texture, and nearly free from feathers ; deaf-ears well-developed and pendent, but not excessively so ; thin, smooth, free from 
folds, and close to the head ; neck long, well furnished with hackles, and carried upright. Body — General appearance light and 
active, large at shoulders, and tapering towards the tail ; back rather round, and slanting to the tail ; wings large, but tightly 
carried ; breast full, round, and carried forward. Legs atid Feet — Legs and thighs rather long ; shanks slender, perfectly free from 
feathers ; hocks clear ; toes thin and well spread. Tad — Large, with full and sweeping sickles, carried high. [Some American 
breeders consider the tail should be upright, or even squirrel fashion ; but we consider this spoils the fowl completely.] Size 
Medium, averaging about six to seven pounds. General Shape — Rather light and slender, otherwise like Spanish. Carriage— 
Very alert and sprightly. 
General Characteristics of Hen. — In all respects resembling those of the cock, with the usual sexual differences, 
excepting that her comb falls over to one side, hiding one side of the face. 
Colour of White Leghorns. — In both Sexes — Beak a bright yellow. Comb, face, and wattles, brilliant scarlet red. Deaf- 
ears pure soft white, resembling white kid. Eyes red or pearl (red preferable, being a better constitution, and brighter looking). 
Legs a brilliant yellow. Plumage all over a pure and perfect white, the straw-colour allowed in the cock by the American 
Standard being very objectionable. 
Colour of Brown Leghorns. — In both Sexes — Beak, comb, face, wattles, deaf-ears, and shanks as in White Leghorns. 
Eyes bright red. Colour of Cock — Head and hackle rich red, which may be striped with black towards the bottom. Back, 
shoulder-coverts, and wing-bow deep violet or crimson-red, occasionally with a shade of orange. Wing-coverts a rich green black, 
forming a bar across the wing. Primaries black, with a bay edging to lower web. Secondaries deep bay on outer web, which is 
all that appears when wing is closed, and black on inner web ; end of every feather black, forming a black edge to corner of the 
wing on upper side. Saddle red, ranging from bright red to rich deep red, with black stripes in the feathers — these not imperative. 
(See our previous opinion on this point.) Breast and under-parts rich deep black, free from brown splashes. Tail black, glossed 
with green or purple ; coverts black edged with brown. Colour of Hen — Hackle rich golden yellow striped with black, but not 
quite solidly. Breast a salmon-red in upper part, running off into a brownish ashy colour at the thighs. Rest of plumage a rich 
brown partridge-marking, or light brown covered over with minute dark marking, except the true tail-feathers, which are black 
(The nearer the whole colour of the hen to the proper exhibition-colour of Black-red Game the better.) 
Colour of Dominique Leghorns. — Ln both Sexes — Beak, comb, face, wattles, deaf-ears, eyes, and shanks same as in 
Brown Leghorns. Colour all over a ground of bluish -grey, each feather barred or pencilled across with bands of darker bluish - 
grey, approaching black. To be free from pure black, white, red, or golden feathers. 
