Cornell University Library OF THE Wew Work State College of Agriculture 3514 Cornell University Library SF 489.W9H5 Wyandottes in colors and how to judge th WO 3.1924 003 091 703 — mm WYANDOTTES IN COLORS AND HOW TO JUDGE THEM By THEO. HEWES PUBLISHED BY. THE INLAND POULTRY JOURNAL COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Price, $1.00 COPYRIGHTED BY INLAND POULTRY JOURNAL CO. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 1908 WYANDOTTES IN COLORS AND HOW TO JUDGE THEM CONTAINING TWELVE REPRODUCTIONS FROM OIL PAINTINGS, TOGETHER WITH MANY BLACK AND WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS. ALSO HALF-TONES OF SOME OF THE BEST LIVING SPECIMENS A FULL AND COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF SCORING IS GIVEN BY THEO. HEWES AND ILLUSTRATED BY I. W. BURGESS, FORMING A MOST VALUABLE GUIDE TO ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN THIS THE GREATEST OF ALL AMERICAN VARIETIES PUBLISHED BY THE INLAND POULTRY JOURNAL CO. INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 1908 } y ik \ \\\ i \ SILVER LACED WYANDOTTE MALE. Drawn to Conform to Standard Shape and Color as Described by the American Standard of Perfection. WYANDOTTES IN COLORS And How to Judge Them—-A Thorough Description of Color and Shape—Defects of All Varieties, With the Correct Valuation of Same—How and When the Several Varieties Originated. By THEO. HEWES. HEN by accident the blood of several breeds of fowls was mingled, each. adding a lit- tle and losing much of its own strength in the offspring, there was none to pre- dict that these crosses, brought together no doubt by merest accident, would give to the poultry fanciers a foundation for one of the most popular breeds of fowls the world has ever known. But such is y true, and there is not today, nor never has been at any time, a single person that could give an absolutely correct account of the crosses that produced the first Wyandottes. Hundreds, yes, thousands, of pages have been written concerning the origin of this breed, but they contain nothing that can be taken as positive facts. It was the general make-up of the original Silvers and the peculiar shape and, color as found in them years ago that gave a sort of solu- tion to the puzzle. ; Certain breeds entered into them; this we know, be- cause crossing of these breeds has given us something that very much resembles the original birds. We say resem- bles, but not exact counterparts, and we know that one or more outside crosses was bred into them, but what these crosses were no one can tell. It might have been one breed, or it might have been another, as several outside crosses have brought about practically the same result; but the chances are that the cross that brought them nearest to perfection was none other than some common barnyard fowl that years before may have had some full- blood crosses in its ancestors. We have read theories by the hour—in fact, until we have had the headache,. but in nine cases out of ten the writers were not heard of until ten years after the breed was established, and in the majority of cases they are from men who have never bred a good Silver Wyandotte in their lives and are only guessing or trying to make others be- lieve something they do not believe themselves, or tell us as fact something that was told to them as theory. Doubleday, Page & Co. made the strongest effort of any publishing house to get at the facts of the breed’s origin, but after reading their book and weighing all the evidence submitted we must agree that it is all guess work after all and the writers are simply stalling or willfully misleading. . It is now more than a quarter of a century since the writer first became interested in this breed of fowls. They were then known as the American Sebrights, and their origin then, as now, was surrounded by darkness. It was cléarly evident at that time that the blood of the Dark Brahmas and the Silver Spangled Hamburgs was in a great measure responsible for the color. Whether the Hamburg cross was from a full-blooded fowl or from a fowl that had been formerly crossed with a Hamburg, we could only guess. And it is well to mention a fact here that many writers seem to have overlooked, i. e., the color of Ham- burgs as bred twenty-five or thirty years ago. We did not find the elegant spangles on them that we do today, but many—in fact, nearly all—of the females were decidedly laced or crescentic in marking, especially in breast, back and wing bows. Mid-Coptipeptal Show 96 Owned by Thea Hewes Téegtoy Mo ing pens. SILVER WYANDOTTES. prize as pullets, Kansas City, Mo., 1906. Note Ss al I Shape was sacrificed for color at this period. is only within the past eight years that our Wyandotte breeders got down to business and discarded the long-backed, narrow-bodied birds from their breed- Since then the improvement has been little short of marvelous.—Ed. IWYVANDOTTES. these years. So let us take all this late moonshine with a grain of salt, giving the writers credit for nicely spun stories, and get down to present-day facts—to one of Amer- ica’s greatest commercial and fancy fowls. The name Wyandotte seems to have been an accidental one, as the breed when first recognized by the poultrymen was known as American Sebrights, Sebright Cochins, Moon- ees and by several other names, each section of the coun- try where they were bred having a different name for them —American Sebrights being the most common. This name they derived from their American origin and peculiar Se- bright lacing, as up to the time the Wyandottes were dis- covered there was no large breed of fowls having the pecu- liar lacing of the Sebright Bantams. There was some discussicn as to what name they should have when they were first talked of as a Standard fowl and we are in doubt as to who first suggested the name of Wyandottes, but our oldest writers on the sub- ject give the credit to Mr. Fred A. Houdlette, who was for years one of our best breeders of this variety. The name Wyandotte was given, as we understand it, in honor of a powerful tribe of American Indians that had, in many instances, shown their friendship for the white race. Some of the remnants of this tribe are still living, p but whether they are aware of the fact that this fowl was chris- tened in their honor we are not able to say. The Early Silvers as | Knew Them. In my first acquaint- ance with Silver Wy- andottes I knew them as a breed nearly, if not quite, as long in back and body as our Plymouth Rocks of to- day. They were some- what deeper in body and the females car- ried their breasts low- er down, but the males had a decidedly erect carriage, many of them equal to the In- dian Games of today. { In color they were ' much darker than now, ; the winning specimens at our best shows hav- sing very small dia- mond shaped centers that were nearly cov- ered by the dark lac- ing. There was no lac- ing on body of either males or females, and this marking did not appear for several years after they were admitted to the Stand- ard. There was also a constant fading out of color and the mixed white and brown pen- ciling in back of fe- males was common, even among the win- ning birds, for more than fifteen years aft- er they were consid- ered a Standard fowl. In fact, there were but few American fanciers able to ee this defect until the English cross referred to was used. While the English cross on American-bred birds im- proved the clear white in centers of feathers, it lightened the under-color of both sexes, and quite a few of the chicks came pure white in plumage. While the Albinos showed up in nearly every strain of Silvers we have any record of they were by no means common until the Eng- lish cross was used. Then we had them in great numbers. From one mating of strictly choice birds there were nine white chicks hatched in a litter of twenty-four, showing nearly 33 per cent. It sitv ER LACED The second cross—i. e., the cross of half-English on American birds—reduced this percentage very materially, but even now we get a few white spots from nearly every strain that has English blood in it. In Figs. 1a and 2a we show a type of Silver Wyandottes that was winning the prizes in the mid-West shows as late as 1885, and this shape and color were considered by many Fig. ta. OLD-TIME WINNER. as about the proper thing for Silvers. You will note the long back and body, the small diamond-shaped white cen- ters in both sexes and the peculiar spike to comb. At this time the comb of each sex showed a distinct spike and in our best specimens this was carried nearly on a straight line with the comb, not so erect as that of the Hamburgs, but very nearly so. Gradually we have bred away from this, until today the comb proper terminates in a spike and the entire comb follows the shape of the skull. : By careful selecting we have bred a comb onto our best birds that is broad and full in front and gradually grows smaller as it approaches the rear, as shown in the two color-plates presented here. | In color we find a number of both sexes that carry the clean white oval centers with distinct narrow lacings of black. When we look back to our old Silvers and consider the way they were mated, we often wonder how we made as good progress in breeding them as we did. We were dis- carding as worthless the only male birds that were really of value and were setting a task for our females that in the light of present-day breeding it is really a wonder that we did not destroy them completely. We were using males with solid black stripes in saddle, with only a small margin of white on surface, and we were then discarding the males with laced secondaries and wing bars, the most important color sections from a breeding standpoint that are possessed by the males. Look at the saddle feathers of male birds (as shown in color plate of male) with nice diamond-shaped centers of white, and you can see how a male with this color assists the female in perfecting the large open centers so much admired by breeders. of this variety. Study the Drawing. In the color illustrations Mr. Burgess has given to us as nearly true to life pictures as we find it possible to pro- duce. The outlines conform to Standard descriptions and WYANDOTTES. 7 are in no way overdrawn when ideals are considered. The feathers that are reproduced on the plates were selected for us by the best informed breeders and represent the true surface and undercolor as described in the Standard. If the shape and color as found in our illustrations are carefully studied and the two sexes mated as shown in these plates, then the breeder of Silver Wyandottes need have no fear of going backward in his effort to reach the top. We believe that Mr. Burgess as a Wyandotte delineator surpasses any other artist now before the public. We have watched his work closely from the first crude sketch he made up to the finished work in the color plates that will illustrate all the popular varieties of the Wyandotte family, and we feel that in less than five years since this boy left the farm he has done more to portray Standard poultry than any one artist in America in twice the time. His work from the first has been done with the Standard as his guide; he has not allowed the hobbies of specialty breeders to influence his judgment and he has made a fad of no one breed that in after life might influence his work, as it has others. He has aimed at all times to keep up with the Standard-makers in their word description and assist them to put before the American fanciers the correct types of Standard fowls. No one breed of fowls has so many popular varieties as the Wyandottes; no one breed that has given a better account of itself in all parts of the world; no one breed that can come nearer filling the wants for egg, broiler, roaster and of the fancier at the same time; no one breed that will do better under all conditions. In fact, as an all- round fowl the Wyandotte in its several varieties stands today, and has for years, in the front row, no matter from what position you view them—medium in size, between the two extremes; quick to mature; early to lay; good all- year-round egg producer and the fancier’s fowl par ex- cellence. ; With these facts before us, we offer no apology for giving them the prominence we do in this book. They have Fig. 2a. OLD-TIME WINNER. earned it by their own merits; they have proved their worth. Now let’s prove we are worthy of them by a closer study of the several varieties and the defects we find in them today. It is not to set ourselves up as teachers, but if pos- sible to harmonize the opinions of all lovers of fowls, that we are putting out this work. Let‘us understand just what constitutes defects, and we have made one step in the right direction; then let us learn how to value the defects, and we have made still another; and when we learn how to mate to avoid these defects, we have reached the goal which is sought. The Standard description of ‘Wyandottes in shape is one of the best in the American Standard of Perfection— in fact, there is but one better in the book, the one re- ferred to being Cochins, this being decidedly the best word description ever framed for any breed or variety of fowls, due to the fact that it was framed by men who knew what constituted perfection in this breed and had no selfish ax to grind. The present Wyandotte Standard was framed by three of the best posted Wyandotte judges in this country—J. H. Drevenstedt, the late T. E. Orr and W. C. Pierce. But this committee was handicapped in a way by being compelled to report to a general committee, and some changes were made by this general committee, but nothing that in any great measure affected the general text of the book. No one thing has been so detrimental to the American Standard of Perfection as the persistent efforts of some members of the American Poultry Association to constantly tinker with the work that from a fancier’s standpoint they know absolutely nothing about. No one not thoroughly cS se ——— ~< Ge pl cidedly faulty in both shape and color. They were too long in back and body and too high on legs, so I tried a top cross of Columbian Wyandotte male on a finely colored Light Brahma female, and a common barn yard female with Brahma markings and rose comb. From this cross I had some very good females with good combs and clean legs, the males being only fair in color and decidedly off in shape—long necks, bodies and legs. I then crossed the best of the females back to their own sire—a Columbian male—and from this cross secured my first perfect flights in females, with good neck and tail lacing. The males from this second cross were not so good as the females either in shape or color, but a decided improvement over the ones I had been able to purchase. From this foundation and careful selection I estab- lished a strain that is breeding satisfactorily and has pro- duced some really fine specimens. But the quality is still Fig. 72. in the females; the males will insist on brassy surface as soon as hot weather comes on, providing they have good, sound color points, the ones showing the poorest wings and necks being decidedly superior in surface color. It was not until the matings of 1907 had matured that I could really claim a white surface-colored male, with other good color points. I have finally produced two that up to this writing—May 1—have held their top color, with good Brahma markings in neck, wings and tail. The worst fault I have found in the females is the persistent dark feathers in backs of otherwise fine colored specimens. I believe the white surface-colored males will eliminate this in part, and perhaps entirely, and I am anxiously Fig. 73. watching the young birds from this year’s mating to see what the results will be. . I give here the experience of Mr. Thiem, of Iowa, with this variety, and call special attention to his article, as he has done more perhaps than any one man living to make the several varieties of the Wyandottes that are today so justly popular: COLUMBIAN. WYANDOTTES. SOME FACTS ABOUT COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES. (By E. O. Thiem, Denison, lowa.) Every one has, or should have, a hobby. I certainly have mine. For the past fifty years nothing has given me more pleasure than to raise a nice pen of some full-blooded fowls. I will not mention here about the Buff Laced off- spring, as I saved three of each cross of the Buff and White Fig. 75. Wyandotte, but when spring came the Buff cross had so much cream undercolor that I gave them away and mated the third White Wyandotte cross to a full-blooded Light Brahma male to strengthen the beautiful black in neck, wing and tail. The result was very satisfactory as for Fig. 76. color, but the females had rather long backs, while the males were not as good in color but better in shape. No males were saved either year. The females now 61 had one-half Wyandotte blood and one-half Brahma, some with rose combs, others with clean legs. Here it was when I read about the great winnings of Columbian Wyan- dottes at New York, and to get quicker results I purchased chickens. I usually make a specialty of one variety, but I have a great desire to learn and get acquainted with other breeds that come before the public and are boomed up to have their way into the new Standard. Never sat- isfied with what I read, I just try them myself and find out if the real merits of the new breed come up to the claims of the booming fancier. y Fig. 77. So in 1898 I took up the experiment with the Silver Penciled Wyandottes. I found them very good layers, but too hard to breed by single mating system ,so disposed of them, retaining only one—a male of a very light color, white in back but remarkably strong in hackle. The idea struck me how a fowl like the Silver Penciled, Wyandotte hen would look when converted into buff instead of steel blue. In 1900 I mated the cockerel to a Buff Laced Wyan- dotte hen, which I received from Ira C. Keller, and also a Buff Wyandotte hen from Mr. Crabtree. The male proved to be too strong for just these two hens, so I put with him a White Wyandotte hen. Strict account was kept of the offspring of each individual. My idea was to break the steel color of the Silver Penciled Wyandotte with the mat- ings of these three hens, then remate the offspring in order to get the buff penciling established. 62 COLUMBIAN JV VANDOTTES. But, to my surprise, all chicks from the Buff Wyan- dotte and White Wyandotte hen came with the full mark- ings of a Light Brahma with Wyandotte shape and comb. I then purchased a full-blooded Columbian Wyandotte male, crossing him on my one-half blood Brahmas, which mating gave me back shape, comb and clean legs; but on account of the material I had to work with I fell short on black in wing, holding all other points. In 1897 I was more fortunate in securing the first Chicago male—very strong in shape, neck and wings—and his females this year are of good Wy- andotte shape and neck like a Light Brahma should have. I do not write this to claim that I am the originator of Columbian Wyandottes. I am led to answer the article in the April (1907) number of The Inland Poultry Journal, in which is an illustrated article on the scoring of Columbian Wyandottes, and I consider it the best ever given on any breed—short, plain and instructive. Right here I will say that none of the real merits of the Columbian Wyandotte are exaggerated. They are very good all-purpose fowls, are excellent layers, and, when once established, a breed which we Americans can be proud of. and tail extended well down to the skin it was quite likely to show a black, smutty end to hackle feathers, failing in white lacing so much admired in this variety. When flights showed a sufficient amount of black the two colors were quite likely to mingle, giving this section a washed- out color that is very objectionable from a breeding stand- point. This was the condition of color as found on the original birds, and from this mixture the fanciers must make the breed if it was worth considering by the poultry- men as a thoroughbred. How well they succeeded is shown by the admission of this variety to the Standard, and the many elegant individual specimens that have graced the exhibition rooms at the leading shows the past winter. THE ORIGIN. The original cross, or at least the one we have an offi- cial record of, is the Light Brahmas—White Wyandottes; both breeds being used for the top crosses, and offspring of the two bred together. Later on Silver Wyandottes were used, crossing the Columbian, both male and female, with Fig, 7, STANDARD COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTE FEMALE. In taking up this, one of the most popular new varieties of the Wyandotte family, a few words in re- gard to their color and origin will not be out of place. In plumage they are identical with the Light Brahmas; at least, that is what the Standard calls for, and, be it said to the credit of the breeders of this variety, they are fast closing up the gap in color that has for the past years existed between them and the Light Brahmas. To get good striping in neck of males and females with cor- rect tail lacing on both sexes, having at all times the old and well established Light Brahmas as a comparison has been a big task. The first Columbians to attract attention were very defective in color. It is true they showed some black in neck and tail and occasionally showed fairly good in wing flights and secondaries, being more of a dull black or dirty brown, while the lacing so much admired in this variety was decidedly lacking. If lacing appeared in tail coverts with good sound black in male tail it was invari- ably followed with a lot of ticking in back, and quite often color would show in breast and body. If the black in neck the Silvers, then using the original Columbians back to these crosses. Some claim that an out cross of Barred Rocks was used, but we are not prepared to prove this statement, the claim being made that another party not the one making the report used the Rocks in perfecting the color. This we very much doubt, as we have never a a ome) oe to any breed with white or parti- e plumage tia not giv ea oe give us chicks with decidedly In my own yards I have used two crosses Brahma hen with elegant neck and tail lacie, the ee a Silver Wyandotte female with almost a solid white breast and oly a trace of lacing on back and body. To these fe- males I have mated the best Columbian male I could find and from the cross five females were selected—three from the Brahma hen and two from the Silver Wyandotte. These females were again mated to a Columbian Wyandotte cock- erel, and the tail and neck color, the object sought for was quite well established. This color ig sraduall heing fed into the chcicest matings, and, strange as it ae ae COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTE FEMALE. Drawn to Conform to Standard Shape and Color as Described by the American Standard of Perfection. COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES. 63 pear, only two of the females from the Brahma cross showed signs of feathers on legs; one of them showed a handsome pea comb, while the others were as good in comb as their sire. In shape this breed is far from the ideal at the pres- ent time; with the Brahma cross we naturally got a long pack and long body, color being the most important fea- ture to establish the variety has compelled the breeder to stay with the objectionable shape in order to get the color set in. both males and females, but now that we have this color it is up to the breeders to begin to reduce the length, and within the next few years we may look for Columbians as good in this particular as any Wyandotte in the Stand- ard. As to their future, in our candid opinion this will be the most popular variety of the Wyandotte family. There are defects yet to breed out of them, and one that the breeders will have a lot of trouble with is brass or creami- ness in the back of males, but when the color is once pred white with good lacing in neck, wing and tail we will not only have one of the handsomest but one of the pest breeds of fowls ever originated in this country. In our illustration (Fig. 69) is shown our idea of a perfect Columbian Wyandotte male. It fits the Standard descrip- tion and is the type of male that is winning the shape specials under our best Wyandotte judges Hast and west. The Wyandotte is in reality a bird of curves, and when this description was embodied in the Standard we should have gone further and said they were also a loose feath- ered bird, as I have never yet found a real good closely feathered Wyandotte. The best ones of all varieties are loose feathered and show certain Cochin characteristics, and with our Standard calling for short backs, short bodies, short tails and well developed breast we must expect some of the Cochin lines. This shape is the one amired by our best informed fanciers and is one that has done much to make this breed so justly popular. So in presenting this outline we do so without apology and feel it is the best drawing yet submitted for Wyandotte shape. In color the Columbian Wyandotte should be a counter- part of the lordly Light Brahma; neck with jet black strip- ing and pure white edging; this edging to run entirely around the lower edge of feather and holding the color well down into throat. The main tail should be black; the coverts black edeged with white; wings, primaries inner web pure black with a narrow white lacing on outer edge of the first five feathers. Secondaries black on upper side: white on lower side. Under color white, bluish white or slate. No preference to be given to the three colors so long as the visible portion of the feather is white. The breeder of Columbian Wyandottes that first pro- duces correct color on both male and female, with true Wyandotte shape, will reap a harvest. We doubt if there is a new variety of any fowl today that has as many ad- Mirers among the old breeders and judges as the Colum- bian. We have yet to find the breeder, no matter how selfish or color-blind, that did not admire the lordly Light Brahmas. The fault some found with them was their feathered legs and slow maturity. Owing to their im- mense size, it requires about eight months to grow them to Standard weight. With the only objection that we have ever heard against the Brahmas entirely over- come and with every good feature in the breed, both fancy and commercial, embodied in the new variety they will in our opinion prove one of the most popular of all the mid- dleweight fowls. It is important that color be permanently established first, but in doing this keep constantly in mind the true Wyandotte shape and always remember that the Wyan- dotte, male and female, is a bird of curves. The shorter, broader and deeper you can breed them the better. In our illustrations we show you several defects in color that you as a breeder must strive to overcome. If you must give preference to either black or white in the sections illustrated let your preference be to black, as it is an easier matter to lighten any section of a breed that is three-fourths white than to darken the sections when they begin to fade. What we want is jet black and pure white—the two colors pure within themselves and not in- termixed. Fig. No. 70 shows a hackle that is entirely too light. There is only a trace of black at the ends of feather, and that in the form of dark ticking. The black there is in it is defective, being a shade of brown which gives the surface a faded-out, dirty appearance that is an eyesore to fan- ciers of pure color. A neck like this can never be used with any assurance of producing quality, no matter how strong the color may be in the females. It is true a happy medium is sometimes reached by breeding two extremes, but the per cent. of good specimens is entirely too small to warrant the time and expense, even though the speci- mens that come good were of rare quality as breeders. But such specimens have no great value only as individ- uals, for no matter how well you mate them they are quite likely to breed back to one extreme or the other, and this may follow for several generations. The Standard allows six points for color in neck of all American varieties, and this color is usually divided by our best judges in all parti-color fowls, giving three points to each color described, and in scoring a neck like Fig. No. 2 we would discount the section three points. In Fig. 71 we have an extreme in color—that is, one showing entirely too much black. The upper portion of \ COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTE MALE AND FEMALE, SHOW- ING CORRECT COLOR IN WINGS. Owned and Bred by S. T. Campbell, Mansfield, Ohio. * neck is quite good in color, but the long feathers are de- void of lacing, and this absence of white shows too dark, or, more properly speaking, a black ring around the base cf hackle. While this color from an exhibition standpoint is quite objectionable, and in, the eye of a Light Brahma breeder would debar the specimen at a glance, and is far COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES. Winners at the Chicago Show, January, 1908, first cock and first and fourth pullet. Owned by Fred Styers, Greensburg, Ind. The class of Columbians in Chicago, in number and quality, has never been equaled at this great show. 4 COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES. 65 from ideal in a Columbian Wyandotte male, there are a number of breeders of this variety today who would give quite a good price for a male showing the amount of black in neck that was good in other sections. Neck being one section that is quite defective in color, usually being too light, the breeder would be quite willing to use a male of this kind in order to feed in the black that fanciers are striving to get. Necks like Fig. 70 are seldom found in the male specimens; they are found, however, among the fe- males—we might say they are quite common with this sex, as in the several yards I have visited I have found more or less of it in each of them. In scoring a neck like Fig. 71 it should be discounted two points. In Fig. 72 we find a group of feathers, showing de- fects qquite common in this variety. No. 1 has about the right per cent. of black and shows good lacing on outside except at tip of feather, where there is an extra lacing of black on the outside of white, giving the neck a smutty appearance at junction of back. A neck like this should be discounted one point. No. 2 is too light in under color, showing white about two-thirds the length of feather and solid black at point. A neck like this should be discounted two points—one point for light under color and one point for lack of lacing at tip. Feather No. 3 shows about the same amount of white, but shows good lacing on outer edge, and would be dis- counted one point. A neck with color like feather No. 3 looks goods for the surface and from outside appearance would indicate almost perfect color, but when opened up the cotton under color appears, which is a serious defect jin any variety, and especially so in a new one where we are trying to establish sound color to the skin. Feather No. 4, while a little dark in under color, would Fig. 80. be passed without a discount. When color in this breed is once established we would favor a trifle lighter under color at base of hackle than we find in feather No. 4, but for the time being, or until we have all our color points prop- erly stamped, I would favor this feather over one showing a lighter shade. Back, There is a decided difference of opinion among breed- ers as to just what constitutes a perfect colored back. Some prefer considerable striping in saddle, while others want only a trace of it, and some insist there should be none at all. The Standard describes it: ‘Surface color, white; cape, black and white; saddle, white except where saddle hangers take on the character of tail coverts, which, if black in web and laced with white, shall not be considered defective; under color, either white, bluish-white or slate.” If we could breed a male with perfect laced coverts and pure white saddles we would surely add beauty to this section, but we doubt if this could be done except on rare occasions, and even then the bird’s ability to reproduce off- Fig. 81. spring that would show clear striping in neck or coverts would be impaired. You will not that the Standard-mak- ers have protected the hackle color by describing the cape as black and white, and for the information of our readers will say that the cape is the shorter feathers on the back underneath the hackle shaped like a cape. Now, to ask nature to reverse herself on the back of the same speci- men, which we would be doing if we were to insist on a pure white saddle, is setting a hard task for the breeders, and would, in our opinion, have a tendency to create faking, the very thing we wish to avoid. So long as the Standard describes under color as white, bluish-white or slate, giv- ing no preference to either, we are of the opinion that our pest males should have a reasonable amount of striping in saddle, especially at junction with’ tail coverts. In Fig. 73 is shown the saddle of a male that is very much in demand by breeders of Columbian Wyandottes in order to establish color. However, there is entirely too much color here to fit the Standard description, and in scor- ing a back like this it should be discounted one point. In Fig. 74 we show what would be termed an ideal saddle—one that we believe fits the Standard description and one that should not be discounted for color. While there is a trace of black in the saddle feather or side hang- ers, as they are termed by the Standard, there is no more, in our opinion, than is necessary to produce well laced tail covers. ’ In Fig. 75 we show a bird with entirely too much white in back and tail coverts, just such specimens as are often met with in the Columbian. Wyandottes today. What little color there is is mixed up, showing white and black running together, and is in fact the most objectionable color to be found on the back of a Light Brahma or Columbian Wyandotte male. A back like this should be discounted 1% points. In Fig. 76 are shown three feathers that illustrate this section, and were taken from the back of a well laced male. Feather No. 1 is entirely too dark, not only on surface, but underneath as well. The black and white intermix at end of feather, giving a black effect on surface, and should pe discounted 1% points. Feather No. 2 has the correct lacing on surface, but in our opinion is too white underneath, and we do not believe a feather like this would hold as a breeder. However, the Standard would not allow us to cut for it, as there is no preference to be given to the white or dark under color. In feather No. 3 we show what we believe to be the correct striping, as well as the under color of the tail cov- ert. This feather should meet with the approval of breed- ers and judges, and is one one we are striving to obtain. 66 COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES. Tail. This section, for a time at least, will be quite defective in color, not alone in male, but female as well. It should be black except the curling feathers underneath, which are white and black. Sickles and coverts glossy, greenish black; lesser ccverts, glossy, grenish black edged with white. In our experience with this variety we have had les strouble in getting good laced coverts than getting solid black main tail feathers. There seems to be a tendency to run white in about the same proportion as our Silver Wyandotte breeders experienced some twenty years ago when this variety was in its infancy. In Fig. 77 are shown three defective feathers selected from a specimen that is a fair comparison of what we will find in the average male of today. Feather No. 1 is good except at base, there showing a trace of white at end of feather, and should be discounted ¥% point. Feather No. 2 has the most objectionable color of the three, it being splotched with white the entire length, the black and white intermixing, being no distinct color and entirely too white at base. A tail showing feathers like No. 2 should be discounted 2% points. Feather No. 3, while showing entirely too much white at both top and bottom, is really a better feather than No. 2 from a breeding standpoint, as the colors are purer within themselves. However, the Standard calling for solid black tail, we would have to discount feather No. 3 1% points. Wings. Here is another section that is more or less defective— in fact, we have never yet seen an ideal wing on a Colum- bian Wyandotte male. The Standard describes it as “Bows, white, except front, which may be partly black; primaries, black or nearly black, with white edging of lower edge of lower web; secondaries, lower portion of lower web white sufficient to secure a white wing bay, the White extending around ends of feather and lacing upper portion of web, this color growing wider in the shorter secondaries, the five next to body being white on surface when wing is folded; remainder of each secondary black.” In Fig. No. 78 we show a wing partly spread, illus- trating what we believe to be the correct color for this variety, while in Fig. 11 is shown a wing with entirely too much white in primaries—in fact, very much such feathers as we find in our exhibition males of today, and should be discounted 1% points. In Fig. 79 we find a wing showing the most serious Fig. 82. defect that Light Brahma and Columbian Wyandotte breed- ers have to contend with—an intermixing of white and black, both being defective and both running together. This wing is defective in both primaries and secondaries and should be discounted 3 points. With the illustration and our description of defects we believe the breeders will arrive at a fair conclusion as to the quality of the specimens that they may have in their yards and will materially assist them not only in se- lecting their best exhibition specimens, but will give them a fair idea as to how to mate to improve their flock. We will now take up the female and deserilbe in detail the color defects found in this sex. THE FEMALE. The similarity of color in the two sexes makes a lengthy description of the female unnecessary, as I believe we have covered the color defects quite thoroughly in my description of the male. In our Standard female is shown our ideal, both as to shape and color. We believe this pic- ture represents the true Columbian female as described in our Standard, and we know it is the type most admired by our competent judges. They are a loosely feathered bird as compared to our Games and Leghorns. The long feathers on back and body are quite fluffy and stand out from these sections more than other breeds, surpassing any of the Rock family in this particular. This is no doubt due in a great measure to the Brahma blood, as we note the females from the Brahma cross, referred to in former pages, are quite pronounced in this respect. : In my cross of Brahmas and Columbians I have been surprised at the shape of the females. They are especially good—in fact, surpas sanything I have found among the thoroughbreds at the time I began breeding this variety, but the males from the cross were quite the reverse, be- ing long and narrow in body with decidedly long necks Fig. 83. and legs, reminding one of a young unmatured Brahma cockerel in his most awkward stage of development. It is well to know that the cross that produced these birds was a Columbian male bred on Light Brahma fe- males. Whether the reverse in shape would have shown had top crosses of Brahmas been made I am not prepared to say. : If some of our readers have used the Brahma males on Columbian females we would he glad to hear from them as to what success they met with in getting correct shape of the two sexes. It is my desire to find at this time the positive origin of the best strains of this variety, and in order to do so I desire the co-operation of Columbian breeders from all sections of the country. We want facts, not guesswork. There are no doubt many breeders who have never attempted to write for publication who could give us such information, and we urge them to do so, for if you have in any way assisted in the making of this va- riety you are entitled to the credit, and we wish you to have it. A work of this kind will no doubt outlive the author many years, and the facts now will be valuable to those who come afterward. The points in color of females most desired, and the ones we must have to make this variety popular with the masses, is clean-cut lacing on neck, the black pure within itself and the white running entirely around the lower edge of feather; this lacing to extend not only at back of neck, but down under the throat as well. Tail coverts with two rows of clean white Jacing, with jet black centers; main tail to show two highest feathers laced with white. When we have accomplished this we may feel that we have started at least to breed Columbian Wyandottes. While wing color is important, it is not so essential as neck and tail, and if preference must be given to any section let good tail lacing be favored over all else, and in order to get this and hold it after it is once secured we must look close to our under color and see that we have here a sufficient amount of black to feed the three sections named. Remember, the Standard-makers have protected this new variety in this particular by eliminating one of the disqualifications in the Brahma Standard in reference to color cf back. Our Standard reads: “Black preva- lent in the web of feather or back not a disqualification but a serious defect.” The writer was largely responsible for this change in Standard, and my reason in asking for it was to establish color in the most important sections and allow for a time, at least, birds that were good in other sections to compete for and win prizes even thonch they should show some color in web feather of hack. : COLUMBIAN IVYANDOTTES., 67 By referring again to Standard Columbian female we find what [ believe to be the correct color of Columbian Wyandotte. I also recommend this shape to the breeders ot this variety and ask for honest criticism from those who know what correct shape should be, and especially those who have an individual interest in this variety. In Fig. 83 is shown a plate of feathers illustrating some of the defects found in the color of this variety, to- gether with our valuation of the defective ones. Feather No. 1 is our ideal tail covert, showing what we believe to be the proper amount of black and white. The plack is pure within itself, with a nice clear edging of white that shows off this section of the bird to the very best advantage. Feather No. 2 is defective, both in white and black. The white is too wide on one side and too narrow on the other and fails entirely at end of feather. The black has a tendency to creep into the white around the edge, making an uneven border. Tail coverts like this should be dis- counted 1 point. Feather No. 3 is one commonly found in this variety, especially in the second or lower row of coverts. The white edging is too wide and is more or less flecked with black on one side and the black runs entirely to the edge on the other, and should be discounted 1 point. Feather No. 4 will be found more often on sides rather than directly in center of tail. It is only laced on one side with black, and that black fails in the white edging. Should all the feathers in the section compare with these, then it should be discounted 2 points. Feather No. 5 is too black at end—fails entirely in lac- ing at the point where lacing is most desired. It is fairly good in side lacing and has about the right proportion ot plack except that black runs more like a straight feather through the white instead of being proportioned; broader at center than at ends. Coverts showing feathers like 5 should be discounted 1 point. In Fig. 80 we wish to call special attention to the wording of the Standard in regard to the lacing of tail proper where it says, “Black except two highest main tail feathers, which may be edged with white.” Do not con- fuse the word ‘“‘edged”’ with lacing, as the Standard-makers intended that only the sides of the feather should be edged with white and not laced entirely around like the coverts. We believe the illustration will convey the right impression and give the inexperienced breeder the de- sired information. In our illustration of defective neck and tail color 1 have placed a valuation on the male that would fall equally as heavily on the females, as the color description is the same for both sexes in the sections named with the ex- ception of deck feathers in female, which will be de- scribed later. In the color of wings there is a considerable difference, the female being given decidedly the best of the argu- ment by our Standard-makers. The Standard describes the color of wing flights in males as “Black, or nearly black, with white edging on lower web.” In females it reads: “Black and white (the black to predominate) with white edging on lower web.” With this description of color one can see that a wing might be cut one point for color in cockerel and pass without a discount in a pullet. Personally, I favor the darker wing, and I have never yet found a competent judge, or, I might say, a real down-to-date breeder, who didn’t agree with me. The color as described was submit- ted by the New England Light Brahma breeders and rec- ommended by them and so adopted by the Standard-mak- ers, but the wing to meet the requirements of our West- ern Brahma breeders and our Western oClumbian breed- ers must be black on upper web and white on lower web, but in view of the fact that it is only a matter of time until the Columbian Wyandotte breeders will make their Stand- ard to suit their fancy, regardless of the opinion of breed- ers of other varieties, we believe that when the time comes they will demand a flight black and white as before re- ferred to. In Fig. 80 is shown a tail that fits our Standard de- scription as to color on female, which reads: “Black except the main-tail feathers, which may be edged with white.” The word “may,” in our opinion, should read “should,” as we believe the two highest feathers, usually trmed “deck feathers,” should be laced with white, and solid black deck feathers be discounted. * With our description of color, together with illustra- tions, we believe the readers will arrive at a fair under- standing of proper color and be able to select their best specimens, both for breeding and exhibition. I would again caution the new breeders in reference to color most to be considered at this time, give preference to black rather than white until you get the black points permanently es- tablished in your birds. Don’t be scared at a little ticking in body and back color, for a time at least, if by getting this you have good lacing in neck and tail. SEGRE ] 4 ) THE SECOND EDITION OF “HOW TO MAKE POULTRY PAY” IS NOW READY FOR THE PUBLIC This book, which contains 116 pages, bound in the most beautiful THREE- COLOR COVER we have ever seen, printed on the best paper money can buy, is not to be classed with the general run of books on this subject. We feel that it is by far the most beautiful work of this nature as yet gotten out anywhere. It contains EIGHT THREE-COLOR PLATES, reproductions from oil paintings by our special artist, which cost over $2,000. These color pictures represent the White Leghorns, Buff Rocks, Light Brahmas, Black Orpingtons, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, Barred Rocks, Buff Wyandottes, White Wyandottes, Partridge Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and White Rocks. Any one of the above pictures have been sold many times for 10 cents each, and they are well worth that price. In addition there are over NINETY OF OUR STANDARD BREEDS ILLUS- TRATED IN BLACK AND WHITE, and a history of their origin given; also comments on qualities possessed by each. It treats on the following subjects in i the most concise manner. ‘The Breeding Stock,” ‘‘Market Poultry Raising,” | “Winter Eggs and How to-Get Them,” ‘Profitable Egg Farming,” ‘How to Raising,” ‘“‘Poultry Houses,” ‘‘Experience of Successful Poultrymen,” Caponizing | and its Profits,” ‘‘Diseases of Poultry and their Remedies.” worth many times the price we ask for this book, for you will find there is: more | trouble in raising your chicks than in hatching them. Here is where nine out of every ten fail. Raise them and your profits are sure. We want every reader of this book to have this work in his library. The retail. price is $1.00, but we will send both the Inland Poultry Journal one year and the book for $1.00; and, if you are not satisfied with your bargain, send us § back the book and we we will refund your money. We are here to give you something you need, and something we are proud of | when we send it to you, as it has cost us much time, patience and money; and we | shall feel fully rewarded by your appreciation. Send to-day. Check, Post-office 4 Order, Express Order or Stamps accepted. Address, INLAND POULTRY JOURNAL COMPANY This Applies to Renewals Also ; INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Grow Chicks,” ‘‘Eggs, Broilers and Roasters,” ‘‘Waterfowl Culture,” ‘‘Turkey | y= The one article on “HOW TO GROW CHICKS,” with receipts for feeding, is J fr RELIABLE BREEDERS We HEREWITH PuBLisH A FEW ADVERTISEMENTS OF B PurcHase of Stock or Eces FROM THEM CAN BE MADE WITH A Partridge Wyandottes. Let others magnify their winnings as they may, the fact remains that no breeder of Partridge Wyandottes in America can show a list of winnings that will any way near compete with mine— Boston, New York, World’sFair, St. Louis, Kansas City, Missouri State, Chicago, Cedar Rapids andhundreds of local shows. Our ‘strain of Columbians is considered by experts as good as there is in this country. Write for prices on stock or eggs. Mating list free. . W. A. DOOLITTLE, Sabetha, Kansas WHITE WYANDOTTES If you want quality we can furnish it. If you want a fourdetion that is » safe to build on we can furnish it. If you want eggs from birds too valuable to price we can furnish them. Remember. our one business is breeding ‘White Wyandottes to the very highest standard of perfection. The poultry . business with us is no side-line. Our winnings at Cleveland, Nashville, In- » dianapolis and the great St. Louis World’s Fair tell the story. Our catalogue, describing the largest White « Wyandotte farm in America, mailed for one » dime. Send for it. 7 J. C. FISHEL & SON BOX D HOPE, INDIANA SLEETS WHITE WYANDOTTES Have never failed to win in the largest shows, winning at Cincinnati A. P. A. Show (1906), Hagerstown, Nashville, Tenn., Frankfort, Ky., Vevay, Ind., War- saw, Ky. Four firsts and silver cup at Portsmouth, Ohio, December, 1907. At Kentucky State. Show, January, 1908, in a class of 50, I won first, second and third pullet (21 competing); first, second and fourth cockerel; first hen; second ‘ eock; first pen, and nine specials, including the club’s State cup. Choice stock for sale. Eggs $3 per 15. Catalogue free. 2 Ira B. Sleet State Sec. N. W. W. Club Box 40, Warsaw, Hy. INNELL’S (TANDARD-BRED \ A) YANDOTTES INE ILVER-LACED IN AND LAY A MIGHTY COMBINATION FOR COMMERCE AND FANCY See the picture! Grand shape, beautiful heads, closely fitting rocker combs and flashing bay eyes; perfect wing bars, large, clear, open centers, gracefully curved necks and tails; and hack- les, backs and saddles of silvery white, with Standard markings, are always to be found in our breeding pens and surplus runs. Stock and eggs in season at moderate prices. RUFUS A. FINNELL, El Paso, IHlinois somes Columbian Wyandottes That are Right Chicago Winners. Send for Catalogue FRED STYERS Box 112 GREENSBURG, IND. Homestead Farm, Ashton, II]. Silver Laced Wyandottes, nothing else. We solicit your business in both stock and eggs and will treat you fairly. You expect to pay for what you get. We will see that you get what you pay for. Catalogue free. Write To-day FRED W. ROLPH, Prop’r. WHITE WYANDOTTES The grandest collection of strictly high-class specimens in th e have more than one hundred acres devoted to this one variety, ee ‘ie uc ., Sands of choice birds to select from. Note our winnings at the great Kansas oie Ebe vy, gee ae in ue Sener e eee of White Wyandottes ever ; in the West. e€ want your ite andotte to please both in price and quality. " trade nd guarantee “P-B”’ Wyandotte Farm, Office 8O1 Broadway, Hansas City, Mo. REEDERS WHom we WISH y FEELING of SATISFAC o) os 09999946690066645O986 09009 Columbian Wyandottes Exhibition and record laying stock, scoring 9% points by noted judges. y Trap-nest, pedigreed birds for sale. My first prize breeding pen at Co- lumbus Show was pronounced the. _best yet seen. = S. T. Campbell Mansfield Ohio 9900000 000000000000000000 Silver Wyandottes I have been breeding Silver Wy- « andottes since 1896, and I think I will stay with this great breed as- long as I live. If you want some fancy fowls that fill your egg bas- ket write ‘MATT. DOMMER CORYDON,!IOWA 90000 000006000000000000000 ANDREWS’ CROWN PRINCE STRAIN Have won at New York and Bos- ton for ten years. Also in hands. of customers 4t such shows as © Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadel-: phia. If you want birds to win, '@ write " OF WYANDOTIES to RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS AS BEING ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE, AND ANY TION THAT THEY REPRESENT THE Best THERE ISIN Wryanvortes. /“#/and Poultry Journal. WHITE AND COLUMBIAN W YANDOTTES 81 Regular and Speeial Premiums this Fall On Columbians, first cockerel ac Madison Square, display at Jamestown, etc. Whites—best in New Jersey—cups to prove it. Finest flock of Columbians in the East. Visitors always welcome. SUNNYBROOK FARM, West Orange, New Jersey CHARLES D. CLEVELAND, Proprietor. Groreh AUSTIN, Manager GOLDEN WYANDOTTES ya That have been winning since 19% under Orr, Tucker, Ellison, Johnson, Hewes . and Pierce. On three entries at Jamestown Exposition one second and two thirds, and the only ong of six exhibitors at Indianapolis, February 3-7, 1908, drawing two first prizes. My stock and eggs are produced on my own farm, and not on a dozen or more. I am not a huckster. Neither do I claim the winnings of customers. Circular free. Other information cheerfully given. i NEWTON NUSBAUM Box C, R. D.1 MIDDLEBURY, IND. BUFF WYANDOTTES Bred to lay, bred to pay. More birds of quality are bred from my strain every year than any breeder of this popular variety in America. ‘Let mre tell you of my winnings at Jamestown Exposition, Chicago and Indianapolis the past My catalogue is free. SIMON BEUTH season. I guarantee to please. GERMAN VALLEY, ILL. SILVER WYANDOTTES Size, beauty and laying qualities combined in; one of the greatest show strains in the West. All birds farm-bred, with farm range. My birds win for me and win for my customers in the -largest shows and strongest competition. If you want quality at living prices, write me. KANSAS CITY, MO. JULIUS BACHMANN ° RUDY’S WHITE WYANDOTTES i Have won more first prizes in strong competition on male birds than any breeder in the Midwest. No show too large, no competition too strong to keep my birds out of the money. Pure white, with grand shape and low, spread tails, is my trade-mark. If you want winners, write me. -- MATTOON, ILL. GEO. H. RUDY KEELER’S WHITE WYANDOTTES Have made the greatest records in the strongest competition of any strain in this country, not alone in my own hands, but in the hands of my custom- ers. F can. show, a list of prize winners, either bred by me or from eggs from my yards, that cannot be duplicated by any breeder East or West. My grand wie victory at Indianapolis (1908) stands alone and unequaled. One thousand »_ youngsters bred from these winners riow growing. Write for prices. CHAS. V. KEELER WINAMAC, INDIANA WYANDOTES Pure in color, correct in shape, bred to lay and bred to win in strongest -competition. My record at McKeesport and Pittsburg the past two years has never been surpassed by any Wyandotte breeder. Stock of highest quality _ _ for sale at all times. Eggs in season. JOHN A. JACKSON McKEESPORT, PA. WHIMES, COLUMBIAN AND SILVER-PENCILED SILVER LACED wy rl x D 7 TRUE Wvanorte DOTTES STANDARD SIZE & WEIGHT FINE LACING IN ALL. SECTIONS ESPECIALLY STRONG IN LACED WING BAR HENRY STEINMESCH St.Louis, Mo. Eggs, $3.99 for 15. Silver-Laced Wyandottes EXCLUSIVELY Stock for Sale at All Tities NO EGGS NORTH SIDE POULTRY YARDS ' A. & E. TARBOX Box aA YORKVILLE, ILL. 3 OOO 00550600 OO OOOO 04ES4609F Partridge Wyandottes Hadaway’s Choicest Specimens New York, Boston and Chicago first prize and championship win- ners. Stock and eggs in season. R. J. SAWYER Menominee Michigan ©OOO0000000000000000000000