172 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
There can be but little doubt that these birds were the progenitors of the 
present breeds known as Polands or Polish fowls ; under which title are included, 
in our present nomenclature, those varieties of fowls characterized by the possession 
of a very largely developed crest of feathers. 
Of the origin of the Polish fowls, little or nothing is known : they are not unfre- 
quently stated to be the descendants of the great fowl of St. Jago ; but as there are 
more than twenty places in different quarters of the globe termed St. Jago, the infor- 
mation is not of a very satisfactory character. With the kingdom of Poland, it is 
certain they have no connection whatever ; whence, then, it may be asked, is the 
origin of the title by which they are so generally known ? By some writers this 
name has been declared to be a recent innovation ; but the White-crested Black 
have been known by it to the London dealers for at least half a century ; and in 
the earliest editions of ‘^Mowbray on Domestic Poultry,” they are termed Polands. 
The most satisfactory solution to the question is that offered by the late Dr. 
Horner, who wrote as follows : In scientific nomenclature, it has ever been the 
practice to designate new genera, species, or varieties, from certain resemblances 
to other well-known or familiar things, or from certain striking features ; so has 
it been, I conceive, with the Polish fowl. 
“ Its remarkably elevated, rounded, and prominent skull-cap, or poll, could not 
escape the observation of the older naturalists. Again, the large crest of feathers, 
or top-knot, is another attribute which must have bespoken consideration in any 
name to be given to this variety of fovd. The term j)oll is not unfrequently used 
to designate the feathers, hair, or even wool, on the head of an animal ; so that 
whether we look at the unique anatomical conformation of the bird’s head, or at its 
more ostensible bunch of feathers, it must have commanded attention. Its head 
or looll was its peculiarity — i,e. the bird with the remarkable head or poll ; hence 
Pollish or Polish fowl. It is quite evident that this bird has nothing to do with 
the country of Poland; and the disease of the hair. Plica polojiica, offers no analogy, 
as in this disease the hair is closely matted to the head; and is usually also thin or 
spare in quantity, very different to the full, erect, and flowing top-knot of the Polish 
fowl.” 
Presuming this derivation to be correct, the superiority of the term Polish over 
that of Polands is obvious, without taking into consideration the grammatical inac- 
curacy of the latter title. 
There are certain characteristics common to the whole group of Polish fowls, 
which may be alluded to before entering upon a consideration of the different 
varieties. The most important is the possession of the feathered crest, which in 
the cocks is composed of long pointed feathers, closely resembling those of the 
hackle ; and, in the hens, of feathers of the ordinary character, rounded at the ex- 
tremity. The crest in both sexes arises from a globular tuber, situated on the fore- 
part of the skull : an intimate connection exists between the size of this swelling 
and that of the crest. In all cases where the swelling is not largely developed, 
there cannot exist a good crest ; and as this tuber is formed before birth, it is easy 
