THE POULTRY BOOK. 
41 
perfect if exception can be taken to its form (and our standard here is arbitrary) ; 
but unless a bird (I speak of matured specimens) has attained a certain weight, I 
should say it ought not to be eligible for a first prize. I do not mean that birds 
are to be judged by the scales, but that they ought to show the size and form that 
would ensure those weights in fair condition. Now, in colour there must be more 
latitude, and different persons will prefer other shades, do what you will. 
“ As to dark hackle, although I prefer to have but little, I do not dislike that 
little, provided it be not of a dead black, or painted on, if I may so express myself ; 
but if merely a tinge or stain of a darker hue, I would nearly as soon have it as 
not. I dislike very much a broken, mealy appearance, either in cock or hen, but more 
especially in the former, which I prefer of a light red, deepening on the saddle. 
The comb should be indented, but not too deeply ; and in both sexes the appearance 
of sprigs is very objectionable. 
‘‘ In forming a standard for Cochins, we ought to insist on those points that 
are peculiarly theirs, and to discountenance those that in any way imply the possi- 
bility of an admixture with another breed. Take a stubby spriggy comb, a lengthy 
beak and head, a long neck, a long or clean shank, or a closely feathered body, and 
you see qualities that distinguish or are at least found in the Malay, and which 
should be condemned accordingly in the Cochins ; and more especially as all the 
opposites are found distinguishing the best specimens of that race. 
‘‘In neither cock nor hen do I like to see the tail sticking up; it should form 
a nice agreeable line with the back, or be very slightly elevated, and terminate 
in nice soft drooping feathers in the cock ; the tail in the hen wearing a much 
shorter appearance from the dense mass of feathers around it. I object to a 
white ear-lobe, but I like a tinge of red on the back of the yellow legs, which 
should be stout, short, and well-feathered.” 
In preparing the present work for the press, the Editor has sought to avail 
himself of the experience of the most successful rearers of all the different varieties 
of poultry who have kindly responded to his request and placed their experience 
at his disposal. 
To Edward Hewitt, Esq., of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, so well known as one of 
the most experienced and able judges of the day, we are indebted for the following 
Characteristics of Bulf Cochins : — 
“ In size and weight the larger the better, if without coarseness. Sometimes the 
cocks attain the weight of thirteen pounds and a half ; but from eleven to twelve 
pounds are good average birds. The hens weigh from eight to ten pounds ; if they 
continue healthy and are well fed, they generally increase in weight until their third 
year. 
“ The carriage and form of the cock should be fine, noble, and very majestic ; the 
breast very broad, forming a straight line from the crop to the thighs ; the back 
short and wide; the tail only very slightly raised, compared with that of other 
fowls ; the wings exceedingly short, and held tightly to the sides ; the legs, thighs, 
and saddle unusually large in proportion to the rest of the body. The head small^ 
