120 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
there is the same full development of comb and wattle, especially in the hens, 
some of which are inconvenienced in feeding by the large comb flapping over the 
eye and interfering with the action of the beak. They are also lower on the legs 
and of squarer build than the true Spanish. Minorcas are excellent layers, but 
very bad sitters, rarely if ever evincing any desire to incubate. As hardy and 
abundant egg-producers they are especially valuable. As table fowls, their more 
rounded form and shorter legs give them advantages over their aristocratic 
relations. 
The Ancona, now very rarely seen at our shows, is closely related to the Minorca, 
the difference being that it possesses a mottled or splashed plumage, the colours of 
which are very uncertain ; they are usually black and white, but specimens of a 
rich partridge- colour were formerly not unfrequent. The colours of the mottled 
Ancona are seldom clear ; and their appearance, therefore, is rarely calculated 
to obtain admiration. 
Under the title of the White Sioanish are included two varieties of the breed : 
one resulting from the action of some peculiar constitutional cause, which deter- 
mines the production of a partial or entire vdiite plumage at moulting time in a 
bird previously black ; occasionally, also, white Albino chickens will be bred from 
black parents, — but in breeding from both these varieties, the original colour is 
generally reproduced. 
A permanent breed of White Spanish was frequently exhibited some few years 
since ; but the frequent presence of an additional toe, and the red colour of the face, 
led to the suspicion of their being cross-bred birds ; and the want of that striking 
contrast between the jet-black plumage, the coral comb, and white face, which 
adds so remarkably to the ornamental appearance of the original bird, caused them 
to^have but few admirers. 
The Andalusians, however, have become established favourites with several 
breeders ; and a poultry exhibition seldom occurs in which good specimens do not 
make their appearance, and take honours in the class for extra varieties. One 
of the most successful exhibitors of this variety is Mr. Coles, of Fareham, Hants, 
to whom we are indebted for the following account of their characteristics : — 
In weight and size the Andalusians resemble the Spanish : the cocks weigh from 
six to seven pounds, the hens from five to six pounds. The carriage and form 
are stately and good, not differing from that of the Black Spanish. 
The general colour of the plumage varies from dark slate bordering on black, to 
a dove-colour, the hens being generally bluish grey. 
The legs and feet should be blue, and totally free from feathering. 
The comb in the cock should be very large, erect, single, and evenly serrated, 
that of the hen very large, single, and pendent. The wattles are well developed. 
The ear-lobe white in both sexes ; but the face, unlike that of the Spanish, is 
red. 
In addition to the above description, Mr. Coles has furnished us with the 
following account of the economical merits of his favourite breed : — I have 
