16 
The neck is neatly curved, with abundant hackle flowing well over 
the shoulders. The plumage is bright red or orange red, with a broad 
black stripe down the middle of each feather. The black stripe in a 
good feather should run to a point near the end of the feather. This 
stripe should be free from penciling, but the standard permits a slight 
penciling of the black. (See fig. 14.) 
A good back and cushion help to make the bird. Her back should 
be broad and flat, the broader the better, and the cushion should rise 
with a gentle convex curve and partially cover the tail. The plumage 
of back and cushion is a reddish-brown in color. Each feather is pen¬ 
ciled with a darker brown; the outlines of the penciling conform to the 
shape of the feather. The breast is one of the most important points 
of a good hen, and should be broad and massive. The plumage is of 
the same reddish-brown color as the back. The penciling on the breast 
is perhaps a little 
more distinct and 
open than on the 
back; the outlines of 
the penciling should 
be sharp and conform 
to the shape of the 
feather. 
The body is broad 
and deep behind and 
of the same plumage 
as the breast. The 
fluff is very abun¬ 
dant, covering the 
posterior portion of 
the bird and stand¬ 
ing out about the thighs. Wings are small and the primaries fold 
closely under the secondaries; the bows are covered by the breast 
feathers and the fluff conceals the points. The primaries are very dark 
brown or blackish-brown in color; the inner web of the secondaries is 
a blackish-brown and the outer web is a blackish-brown penciled with a 
lighter brown. The coverts are similar in color and penciling to the 
plumage of the breast. 
r l he tail is small and short, is carried almost horizontally, and is 
partly concealed by the cushion. In color it is black, except the two 
main tail feathers, which are penciled. The tail coverts are penciled 
same as breast and body. Thighs are large and well covered with soft 
feathers; the feathers on the lower part curve inward around the hock 
and hide the joint on the outside. The feathering of the thighs is of 
the same shade and color as that of the body. Shanks are short and 
yellow, and heavily covered with feathers of same color as thighs. 
The toes are well spread and yellow, the outer and middle toes being 
feathered throughout their entire length. 
Fig. 14.—Feathers of Partridge Cochin hen. 
