176 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
perfect specimens in good condition on a smooth lawn or well-kept run ; hut, on the 
contrary, nothing can look more deplorable than to see them in had condition, with 
their crests saturated with mud and water, tails drooping, and heads between their 
shoulders, and snuffling and sneezing with roup, to which disease there are few 
fowls more liable, and few more difficult to cure. I have known apparently sound 
healthy birds from a good dry run in the south of England, put into an ordinarily 
good yard near London, all stricken down in twenty-four hours, one half dying in 
a week, while the survivors presented the pitiable spectacle I have just described. 
But I do not wish to discourage my readers from keeping this beautiful variety. 
To those who live in suitable localities they will give both pleasure and profit, the 
hens being good layers and non-incubators — these being, indeed, the attributes of 
all the Polish varieties. 
The cock should be about 51b. or 61b. in weight, with a bold and graceful 
carriage, the neck slightly arched back towards the tail ; body round, short, and 
plump, and with rather short leaden blue or black legs ; the colour of a uniform 
deep black throughout, with iridescent tints on the neck, tail, and saddle feathers ; 
the sickle-feathers should be quite free from grizzling with white ; the crest should 
be large, full, and regular, well filled on the crown or centre of the head, and each 
feather of a clear pure white ; in front, immediately over the beak, there are sure 
to be a few black feathers, but of course the fewer and smaller the better ; there 
should be no appearance of comb, but full, well- developed wattles of a brilliant red ; 
the ear-lobes should be moderate in size and white in colour. 
The hens should be about 41b. to 51b., the body somewhat similar in form to 
that of the cock, but rather more compact ; the crest very full and globular, without 
any black feathers intermixed, and the fewer the better in front ; but we should 
never be deceived by any bird which may be shown without them, as, if not pre- 
sent, they have been removed.’’ 
The following remarks on the breed are from the pen of Mr. Hewitt, who 
formerly was in the possession of superior specimens of this variety : — There 
are few descriptions of poultry, if any, that are more truly ornamental than the 
Black Polish ; the extreme contrast between the colours of the body feathers and 
those of the crests rendering them not only a very conspicuous but univer- 
sally admired breed, even among those individuals who are not exactly to be 
classed among poultry amateurs. But, in justice, I must record my opinion in 
their favour, as really useful as well as ornamental fowl. They are non-sitters, 
and interminable layers, always providing, however, the locality suits them. 
The subsoil for them (to ensure complete success) must be dry, and the situation 
of their run not exposed to cold damp raw biting winds. If not possessed 
already of these natural advantages of locality, then I would very strongly advise 
any amateur to select some more hardy Idnd of poultry, or he may involuntarily 
subject himself to much trial of temper and unnecessary vexation. If once 
they should happen to become diseased. White-crested Black Polish are assuredly 
the most difficult of any description of fowls to restore to health, by any medical 
