29 
FARMERS , BULLETIN 898. 
of mating is not used bv breeders, however, for the reason that the 
quality of the blue produced in the chicks is not that desired. Breed¬ 
ers use only blue birds in their matings, selecting individuals which 
will give them the best color possible in the blue offspring and dis¬ 
carding the off-colored young birds for breeding purposes.* 
ANCONA. 
The Ancona, like the Leghorn, is supposed to have originated in 
Italy. It is one of the older of the Mediterranean breeds, but has 
not been known in this country so long as the Leghorn or the Minorca. 
In type this breed is very similar to the Leghorn. In general it 
seems to have about the same utility qualities as the Leghorn, but has 
never gained the popularity which the Leghorn enjoys. In size the 
Ancona and the Leghorn are the same, except that the standard 
weight for the Ancona hen is one-half pound greater. The standard 
weights are: Cock, .H pounds; hen, 1^ pounds; cockerel, T] pounds, 
pullet, pounds. 
Fig. 10. — Single Comb Ancona, male. 
