47 
the bottom of the foot, yellow; tail, erect and free from long sickle 
feathers. The hen is bearded like the cock; comb, similar but smaller; 
back of less width; full breast; tail of medium size, and carried moder¬ 
ately erect; legs, same as cock’s. 
SILKY FOWLS. 
Silky fowls are not extensively bred in this country, but in England 
are very popular. Their soft, webless feathers, when in prime condi¬ 
tion, are exceedingly loose and fluffy, standing out from the body in all 
directions, giving the fowl the appearauce of a large bird, which their 
weight does not justify. 
The cocks weigh from 2J to 
4 pounds, while the weight 
of the hens is from 2 to 2J 
pounds. 
The birds are of rather 
square, compact Cochin 
build; crested, the cock’s 
crest running back hori¬ 
zontally, while the hen’s is 
globular; five-toed; feather- 
legged; rose comb, lumpy, 
in appearance and dark 
purple in color; ear lobes, 
blue or purple tinged with 
white; skin, violet, ap¬ 
proaching black, the cover¬ 
ing of the bones being of 
the same color; shanks, 
dark blue or black; plum¬ 
age, white and downy. 
Silkies lay a small egg of a pale buff color, and lay 10 to 25 before 
wanting to sit. They make excellent mothers, and are very valuable 
to hatch and rear the tender little ones of the more delicate varieties. 
Fig. 41.—Sultan cock. 
SULTANS. 
Sultans (fig. 41) were exported from Turkey into England about 1854, 
and did not reach America till some years later. They might with pro¬ 
priety be classed with the Polish, considering the characteristics which 
they possess. A compact crest surmounts the head and they are full 
bearded. Two small spikes constitute the comb. The neck and saddle 
hackles are large, long, and flowing. The legs are heavily feathered and 
booted, and hocks vultured. They possess a fifth toe. The tail is full 
and erect, and in the cock is well sickled. While their beauty is their 
chief recommendation, they lay claim to modest usefulness—but only as 
layers, being too small for table fowls. They thrive well on a limited 
range or in confinement, and owing to their docility make excellents pets. 
