34 
back, and saddle, nicely tipped; bow well marked (by no means cloudy, 
brown or brassy); back, as green as possible. Golden-spangled: Color, 
very black and rich ground, the back glossy green; the neck, back, and 
saddle, nicely striped; bow of wing well marked. Hens—Silver-span¬ 
gled: The white clear and silvery; the spangles large, green as possi¬ 
ble, distinct and clear. Golden-spangled: Ground, rich; clear spangles, 
large and distinct. 
The feather markings of the penciled varieties differ greatly from 
those of the spangled; the latter being commonly called u moon-eyed” 
from the round or oval appearance of the spangles, while the markings 
of the penciled varieties are in parallel bars of reddish bay or black, 
or clear silvery white 
and black, as the case 
may be. White and 
Black Hamburgs are 
solid white or solid 
black in plumage. 
No standard weight 
is given for Hamburgs. 
REDCAPS. 
This variety (fig. 31) 
is the largest of the 
Hamburg group, its 
size equaling that of 
the Minorca. Bedcaps 
are an old breed, men¬ 
tion of them being 
made by some of the 
old authors. They are 
not as popular as the 
Hamburgs, there be¬ 
ing difficulty in breeding them with good combs and clearly defined 
plumage. The large comb stands in their way as popular birds, and 
unless it is square and even, it makes a miserable sight. 
Bedcaps are hardy and mature early, and, like Hamburgs, are excel¬ 
lent layers. For market purposes they are good, the size and quality 
of flesh being recommendations for popular favor. They are reputed 
to be nonsitters, though occasionally they are known to sit and hatch 
broods. 
The comb is rose, the larger the better, not overhanging the eyes, 
square in front, and uniform on each side. It must be firm and even 
upon the head, without inclining to one side, the top covered with small 
points, or corrugations, terminating at the rear in a well-developed, 
straight spike, and bright red in color. Wattles and ear lobes are also 
bright red. In plumage the male and female are red and black; the- 
Fig. 30.—Black Hamburg Hen. 
