184 
THE POULTIIY BOOK. 
iipparently enjoyed mncli liardier constitutions tlian any of our present varieties of 
Polisli. Having given the most perfect description I now can from recollection, I 
cannot conclude without bearing testimony to their superlative beauty. I have 
striven to obtain some of this strain, hut I found, on inquiry, to my great chagrin, 
that the poultry had passed into other hands. The new owners were no fanciers, 
and to improve them they had for many years crossed them with the Game ; 
and I was consequently nonsuited.” 
The Golden- spangled Polish differ so slightly from the Silvers, that a detailed 
description of their characteristics is not required ; as, after making due allowance 
for the difference in ground colour, the same remarks will, v/ith scarcely any 
variation, apply to both varieties. 
The late Dr. Plorner, of Hull, who was long known as one of the most 
diligent and successful amateurs of this variety, kindly favoured us with the 
following remarks on the breed : — ‘‘As to carriage (I write of the Golden, 
which I keep), it is nearly as bumptious as that of the Bantam ; the breast 
being very protuberant, the tail very full and flowing, and well arched upon the 
back. 
“As to comb, there should not he any, not even a spike. I do allow a very 
small patch of red comb-like structure, the size of a small split pea, lying close 
like skin, at the root of the bill ; but no spikes. The feathers of the top-knot are 
not simply red, for the lower part is black, the extension of the black up the 
feather differing a little in different birds ; but always should be there. In a 
properly marked hen, the top-knot should be spangled like the rest of the body, 
and not black. How, as to white feathers in the top-knots of cocks, and hens also, 
they are always present in birds two years old and upwards ; they are commonly 
absent till the birds are a year old, but they will surely come, in greater or less 
number, with the autumnal moult. Their presence must not be considered a fault. 
Possibly, as a matter of taste, some would like them without white ; whilst others 
certainly prefer them with white feathers. 
“As to the tail in the cock, it is generally black, bordered with chestnut, as are 
the sickle-feathers ; but the smaller side wavy feathers are like those of the body, 
rich chestnut, edged with iridescent black. The tail of the hen is chestnut, tipped 
with black. The cock’s tail is often grizzled with white, and the hen’s often 
speclded and scratchy with black : such markings are, of course, to be regarded as 
imperfections. 
“ The crest of the cock must not be flattened at the top, as in such cases the 
feathers are too thin and long ; nor should it divide down the middle like a girl’s 
hair. It must, as far as possible, preserve a rounded globular form, which it will 
do if the feathers are plentiful and not too long. I may just further add, that the 
Polish is a spangled bird ; and hence I consider lacing (except on the wings) as an 
imperfection. I strongly object to lacing on the breast of cocks — not an uncommon 
thing to see ; lacing on the backs of hens, that is, on the saddle and rump, is also 
wrong — the feathers should be spangled.” 
