12 
black, excepting tlie two highest main tail feathers, which may be edged 
with white ; tail coverts, one or more rows, distinctly covering a part of 
both sides of the main tail, two rows being preferable, are black edged 
with white. 
The Light Brahmas are valuable birds for the farm. They have always 
been made to pay for their keep and have seldom been set aside by any 
who have bred them. They are the largest of domestic poultry and do 
as well in, confinement in small runs as on 
free range. As layers they will average 
from twelve to thirteen dozen eggs a year, 
and lay exceptionally well in winter. Their 
eggs are large, about 7 to a pound, of a rich 
brown color and excellent flavor. For table 
purposes the birds are good; they do not 
mature as early as do the varieties of the 
American class, yet they are hardy, and can 
be raised with as much ease as any of the 
earlier-maturing varieties. As sitters and 
mothers they are fair. 
The Dark Brahmas are not so popular 
as the Light—the difficulty being in breed¬ 
ing them true to feather. Their delicately 
marked plumage is extremely pretty when 
bred to standard requirement, but if not 
so bred it becomes most disagreeable and 
unsatisfactory to the breeder. The head and 
neck of a Dark Brahma male are similar to 
those of the Light, the head being white and 
the hackle rather more striped. The back is 
nearly white, a little black appearing here 
and there. The black should predominate 
between the shoulders, but is nearly hidden 
by the hackle flowing over it. The saddle 
feathers are, like the hackle, silvery white, 
striped with black, which should be dis¬ 
tinct. As the feathers approach the tail 
fig. io—HM kio^fcatijBr of L.ght tlie str jp es become broader till they merge 
into the tail coverts, which are rich, glossy 
green-black, with a margin or lacing of white. The tail is pure black, 
with green gloss. The wing coverts are black, forming a distinct black 
bar across the middle of the wings, while the ends of the secondaries 
have a large black spot on the end, making the top edges of the wing 
appear almost black. The remainder of the secondaries are white on 
the lower half and black on the upper. The flights are all black, except 
a narrow fringe of white on the lower edge. The breast is black; the 
thighs and tlufl either black, or black very slightly mottled with white. 
