464 
The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
JUDGING THE VARIOUS CLASSES. — In judging the various fowls we have now been 
considering, much thoughtful consideration is demanded at the hands of the judge. It is not to be 
lorgotten that the class in which these, and at most shows some other varieties considered by us 
under their specific heads, are usually shown, has two distinct objects. One of these is to allow of 
birds which are not bred sufficiently to claim a class of their own, to be shown with the chance of a 
prize ; the other, to encourage the introduction, or what may be called the “ publication,” of new or 
unknown varieties. It can hardly be questioned that this last object is the most important, and that 
a really bona fide new variety, presenting any promise of utility or any distinctive points of beauty, 
should as a rule have the preference over older varieties, which, having been long tried and known, 
have failed to make their way in the poultry world sufficiently to have a class of their own. It 
cannot be said that no such new varieties are likely to be now met with ; considering how very lately 
Japan has been opened to Europeans, and how very partially China is open even at the present 
day ; whilst even “ made ” breeds of permanent value may yet be produced. A good look-out 
should therefore be kept for all such novelties, which, if apparently pure-bred, should by all means 
be encouraged till it begins to be seen “ what they have to say for themselves.” Besides this, the 
judge has to review a number of elements, some of them almost contradictory. He has to consider 
the scarcity of a breed ; its practical or intrinsic utility, and therefore desert of encouragement on 
that ground ; its beauty, and consequent desert on that ground ; and, lastly, the perfection of the 
specimen itself as regards breeding and condition. This last alone is often difficult to decide, since 
most of these fowls are so seldom shown that fixed canons respecting them scarcely exist, and we 
can only attempt to give scales for Sultans and Silkies. They have as a rule to be judged “ on 
their merits ” as appreciated by the judge ; and to compare one breed with another is, under the 
most favourable circumstances, an invidious and thankless task. 
We may make one suggestion on this point which would help judges materially ; namely, 
that the list of prizes in this class should be in all cases greatly extended. Instead of the usual 
three, there should be at least six ; and instead of having them to range from first to sixth, it is 
far better — both easier for the judge and fairer to competitors — to arrange them as two first prizes, 
two seconds, and two thirds. By this means the arbitrator will find his task much facilitated, 
since he has not to decide six nice gradations, but can bracket pens which seem of nearly equal merit 
together instead of deciding which is the absolute best — always, as we have seen, a disputable 
point — and in this way, at small expense, substantial justice may be done, and breeds which now 
languish might receive more remunerative support. No additional expense at all would be incurred 
where the sexes as a rule are shown separately, if complete pens containing both sexes were 
made up in this class ; which for such breeds is a far better plan. We should then be spared 
the anomaly, now forced upon the judges at many shows, of seeing a cock of a given breed 
awarded first prize in his class, while hens of the same variety, of equal merit, are passed over 
in the hen class from the sheer necessity of giving equal honour to some other breed ; the prizes 
being thus divided as equitably as such a bungling system renders possible. 
SCHEDULE FOR JUDGING SILKIES. 
General Characteristics of Cock. — Head, and Neck — General appearance of head bright and lively, in spite of the 
dark colour ; beak rather small ; comb double, as neat as possible ; crest behind the comb usually pointing back, but preferable il 
approaching a Polish character ; wattles rather long and pendent ; deaf-ears pendulous ; neck moderate length, full of hackle, and 
carried a little forward compared with many other breeds. Body — General appearance neat and pretty ; the back broad and short ; 
saddle wide, and rising to the tail ; wings rather small and carried low ; breast full, and shoulders neatly rounded. Legs and Feet 
Thighs well furnished with silky fluff, hanging down over the hocks, shanks rather short and feathered ; toes thin, with an 
