108 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
fanc}^ toy than as a profitable fowl, valuable as a prolific layer of largo fine-flavoured 
eggs, or a good producer of abundant white meat for the table. 
“ The weight of a good-sized Spanish cock should not be below seven pounds, nor 
should its height, when standing erect, be less than twenty- two inches. The 
plumage must be glossy black, with metallic blue and greenish hues when seen 
in the sun; the breast, belly, and thighs, raven black if possible, or decided jet. 
“ The comb, which in the cock is one of the most important points, should be of 
a bright-red coral colour, perfectly firm and erect, not too large or tall, although 
larger than in any other variety, thick at the base, with crescent- shaped outline at 
top if possible, commencing in front close to the nostrils, gracefully extending to the 
back and almost touching the head or top of the neck. The front of the comb should 
be without twist, or thumb-mark as it is generally termed, the margin evenly 
serrated, and it should be smooth and fine in texture, and free from excrescences in 
any part. The w'attles should be equally red and fine in texture of long oval, 
pendulous form, neatly folding, and both of the same length. 
“ The face is now regarded as the most important point; it should be of pure 
whiteness, closely resembling finely dressed white kid, extending over the eye up 
to the base of the comb, showing as great a width at this point as possible, passing 
round behind the ear, and so producing a great width from this point to the com- 
mencement of the white in front of the eye ; continuing downwards as the ear-lobe, 
hanging as low as possible upon the neck, and meeting the red wattles in front. 
The space between the wattles on the throat should also be white. 
As the white face and ear-lobe are the most attractive features in the Spanish as 
show birds, there cannot be too great a quantity in superficial extent, nor can too 
great a degree of attention be given to produce it as smooth and free from ridges 
or folds as possible, more particularly over and under the eyes ; for if the birds are 
of the heavy warty-faced strain, the white, at two years old, will cause the cocks to 
become blind from the folds or ridges of white meeting and closing the eyes ; the 
trouble attending these blind birds is very great, the white having to be cut away, 
as otherwise the birds die of starvation, and long before that occurs they are 
perfectly useless as stock birds. 
‘‘ The eyes should be clear and bright, of dark brown colour, and as full and 
prominent as possible consistent with a good extent of white. 
The neck in the Spanish is inclined to be long, but it should be strong towards 
the base, tapering very gracefully from the head down to the body. The breast 
and front of the neck should be full and protuberant, no other fowl having so 
prominent a breastbone. The back should be a good width, the body somewdiat 
tapering tow'ards the tail ; the wings full, but not as ample as those of Game or 
Dorking. Thighs neat and firm, inclined to be long ; in fact, many fine 
birds are almost what may be termed leggy, but an excess of shank must be 
avoided. The legs, firm and strong, vary in colour from leaden to blue-black, 
either being admissible, but the latter preferred. Tread of foot, dingy flesh-colour. 
