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__ Cornell University Library 
 
 SF 489.B8W95 1870 
 
 The Brahma fowl:a monograph.By Lewis Wri 
 
 3 1924 003 111 451 
 
The original of tliis book is in 
 tlie Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003111451 
 
BmrnhyECLsms. J.liTOS.LitliD.Biistiil. 
 
 LIGHT BRAHMA HEN, 
 
 BRED & EXHIBITED BY M? F, CROOK, 
 
THE 
 
 BRAHMA FOWL 
 
 A MONOGRAPH. 
 
 LEWIS WRIGHT, 
 
 AUTHOR OF "THE PRACTICAL POULTRY-KEEPER." 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 "JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER" 
 
 OFFICE, 171, FLEET STREET; 
 
 AND 
 
 CASSELL, FETTER, AND GALPIN, LUDGATE HILL. 
 1870. 
 
fi 4i63 
 
 PRINTED BY 
 J. WRIGHT AND CO., STEPHEN STREET, 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This little work, whatever its merits or defects, was not 
 written from a poultry-fancier's mere unconsidered enthusiasm 
 for his favorite fowl. After much study of many breeds, and 
 •considerable experience in many ways, we had come to the 
 conclusion that the Brahma — though not perfect, or even 
 suitable for every purpose — is upon the whole best adapted 
 to the English climate, and occupies a position among poultry 
 similar to that of the Shorthorn among other races of cattle. 
 It will thrive and pay where no other can be kept in health ; 
 and as a purveyor — not of the very choicest — but of choice, 
 honest, solid food, it is what Miss Watts has said, " about the 
 best fowl we have ever had." 
 
 We have however found that the breed has been often 
 misunderstood, both as to its qualities and management, so 
 that even its merits have been converted into defects. We 
 have found also, that no fowl is more difficult to breed to an 
 exhibition standard ; and we still have dozens of complaints 
 from purchasers who have procured the very best birds quite 
 
IV. 
 
 regardless of expense, and have only succeeded in breeding 
 "trash," for want of knowledge how to mate them. And 
 these two branches of the subject are intimately connected. 
 We have long been fully persuaded that the knowledge, 
 enthusiasm, and patient perseverance of the fancier are highly 
 necessary to improve and maintain any breed in perfection 
 for even the utilitarian. This fact is often forgotten, and the 
 statement of it may be met with ridicule now. But we 
 do assert that even the poultry-fancy may be carried on in 
 the reverent spirit of earnest work, and that we know some 
 who are really seeking in this way, not alone to amuse their 
 leisure, but in the fear of God to benefit the community of 
 which they form a part. 
 
 And therefore we have thought it worth while to give 
 time, and thought, and labor, even to a book about " nothing 
 but Brahmas." We hope to help the mere fancier. But we 
 hope also, indirectly to increase the resources of the farmer : 
 we hope to add to the luxuries of the breakfast-table : we 
 hope — far, far more — to cheapen, if it may be, wholesome 
 food, for some striving middle-class families. 
 
 Whether any personal apology be needful for attempting 
 such a task, we do not know. Cut off hitherto by the dis- 
 advantages of a very small town yard from most of the honors 
 of exhibition, we can only say that we have studied the fowl 
 
quietly and lovingly at very close quarters, often stroking 
 down a favorite pullet as we would a cat. We have found 
 there was much to learn about them — much character in 
 them. By degrees our opinion has come to be valued and 
 sought : we have had opportunities of study and comparison 
 in many other yards : and many a cup has been ascribed — in 
 terms much beyond our real desert — to the slight services we 
 have been enabled at different times to render. The personal 
 solicitations of friends thus acquired, are partly answerable 
 for the publication of this book. 
 
 We have, however, to acknowledge assistance from many, 
 especially those whose names appear in different places ; and 
 to Mr. Teebay in particular our obligations are much greater 
 than can be here expressed. Much of our own earliest and 
 soundest knowledge of the fowl has been derived from him ; 
 and he has taken an interest in this attempt at an exposition 
 of his old and favorite breed, which could have been less 
 expected of a fancier than of a personal friend. This might 
 indeed be said of almost all, and has cheered us on in an 
 undertaking, which has greatly exceeded in extent either our 
 intentions or expectations when we began. 
 
 Some one once wrote a good essay "Concerning things 
 which cannot go on," including his own composition amongst 
 the number ; and so, very possibly, our readers may think 
 
VI. 
 
 that our long preface had better stop. We will only add that 
 this work has been written in intervals snatched from other 
 more important literary labors, and often interrupted by ill- 
 health ; and that from these causes combined, nearly two 
 years have elapsed between the printing of the first pages 
 and the last. The delay has enabled us to add an important 
 appendix: we trust in some degree it will account for the 
 somewhat fragmentary character, and other faults of the 
 book as a literary production. 
 
 Here we are, then, at the end of our labor. We can truly 
 say it has been a labor of love, undertaken as it was without 
 the slightest prospect of pecuniary reward ; and it has yielded 
 to ourselves, in the midst of some " weariness of the flesh," 
 both pleasure and benefit in many, many ways. If the result 
 shall 3neld to the reader any fair proportion of either, we 
 shall have no reason to regret having attempted this treatise 
 on "The Brahma Fowl." 
 
 Kingsdown, Bristol, 
 
 February ist, 1870. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 The Origin of Brahmas ... ... ... ... pp. 9 — ^40 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Economic Qualities and Management of the Brahma as a Stock 
 Fowl ... ... ... ... ... pp. 41—56 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Characteristics of Dark and Light Brahmas as bred for Exhibition 
 
 PP- 57-85 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The PRAcncAL Breeding, Rearing, and Management of Brahmas for 
 Exhibition .. ... ... ... ... pp. 86 — 128 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 The Judging of Brahmas... ... ... ... pp. 129 — 140 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 Origin of Brahmas ... ... ... •• PP- 141 — 144 
 
THE BRAHMA FOWL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 The Origin of Brahmas. 
 
 NO subject has caused so much, so long, and such angry- 
 discussion in the poultry world as the origin of the 
 Brahma fowl, though the variety was unquestionably first in- 
 troduced into England as late as the year 1852, when two pens 
 were shown at Birmingham by Mrs. Hosier Williams and Dr. 
 Gwynne. On the one hand it was said that the fowl was a 
 new breed, or at least a new sub-variety with distinct charac- 
 teristics, originally imported from India ; whilst on the other 
 side it was contended that the birds were either a cross 
 between the Cochin and Malay, or at best, if a pure race at 
 all, with nothing but color to distinguish them from Cochins. 
 For several years the controversy was carried on with great 
 ability on both sides, until at length the public grew weary 
 of the subject ; and though each party claimed the victory, 
 the matter has never been really settled yet ! 
 
 After so long an interval, it may appear presumptuous to 
 reopen the question ; and were it merely one of interest to the 
 Brahma fancier, we certainly should not have done so. But 
 such is by no means the case. The correct decision of this 
 
10 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 matter has an important bearing upon the question of the 
 formation of new varieties and the origin of species, and is so 
 quoted by Mr. Darwin, who in his last work * — a work we know 
 not whether to regard as most remarkable for the extraordinary 
 amount of gratuitous assumption with which it abounds, or 
 the number and great value of the facts which it contains — 
 cites this very breed as part of the argument in favour of his 
 well-known theory, stating (vol. ii. p. 96.) on the authority 
 of Mr. Tegetmeier, that " Dark Brahmas, which are believed 
 by some fanciers to constitute a distinct breed, were un- 
 doubtedly formed in the United States within a recent 
 period by a cross between Chittagongs and Cochins." Hence 
 the solution of the question becomes of some interest to the 
 naturalist, and even to the theologian. And having entered 
 upon an investigation of the matter some time since from 
 simple interest in the breed, it appeared to us possible even 
 yet to throw some additional light upon the subject, and 
 with the valuable aid which, as will be presently seen, Mr. 
 Darwin's own recent researches afford to the inquiry, to 
 point with almost certainty to a scientific and rational 
 conclusion. 
 
 It will first of all be necessary to examine the personal 
 testimony which bears upon the subject, and which we think 
 has never hitherto been properly investigated. 
 
 And first, to quote by far the most able exponent of the 
 Cochin theory, Mr. Tegetmeier says,f "There is not a particle 
 
 * The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication ; by Charles Darwin, 
 M.A., F.R.S. London; 1868, 
 + The Poultry Book, p. 55, 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 1 1 
 
 of evidence to show that they came from India. The banks 
 of the Brahma-Pootra have long been in the possession of the 
 British, and no such fowls were ever seen in the locality. In 
 fact, Brahmas originated, not in India, but in America ; and 
 the two varieties of the breed now known as Dark and Light 
 had unquestionably very distinct origins!'* He then goes on 
 to say that the Light Birds "undoubtedly originated in, or 
 were identical with, those grey fowls that from the very 
 first came over from Shanghae with the buff and partridge 
 birds now universally known as Cochins," and, as undoubted 
 evidence of this, quotes Mr. Burnham's "amusing and unscru- 
 pulous work," entitled A History of the Hen Fever, published 
 at Boston in 1855. In this work Mr. Burnham, who, it will be 
 remembered, sent over some of the earliest so-called Brahmas 
 as a present to Her Majesty, which arrived in January, 1853, 
 affirms in effect that he originated them, relating how, out of a 
 Tiundred Cochin fowls " of all colours, grades, and proportions," 
 brought over by an enterprising captain, he selected " a few 
 grey birds, that were very large and consequently very fine." 
 These he bred with other grey stock he had, and " soon had a 
 fine lot of birds."-)- We have thus two very definite statements 
 
 * These Italics are our own, the statement being of some importance. 
 
 + Grey Shanghaes were frequently met with, in America as well as England, 
 both before and after Brahmas were introduced. Mr. White, of East Randolph, 
 Mass., is considered by United States fanciers to have been the first who imported 
 this variety, and h,e never pretended for a moment that they were identical with 
 the Brahmas. Their color is more what is called in America "Dominique,"' or 
 resembling the "Dominique" fowl : and is not what we call pencilling, but almost 
 exactly the color and marking of the Cuckoo Dorking or Scotch Grey. In feet 
 they are often still shown as Cuckoo Cochins. 
 
12 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 by Mr. Burnham : first, that lie was the founder or original 
 breeder of Brahmas ; and secondly, that the Light variety 
 were pure, uncrossed grey Cochiits. 
 
 On the other hand, of the Dark breed, which Mr. Tegetmeier 
 has already affirmed to be of "very distinct origin" from the 
 Light, he writes simply, " Mr. Burnham states that they were 
 grey Chittagongs crossed with Cochins. ' Of this,' he says, ' no 
 one now entertains a doubt.' " As this single line, however, by 
 no means does justice to the illustrious authority quoted as 
 decisive, we transcribe from The Hen Fever the entire passage. 
 It will at all events amuse the reader, and is also useful as 
 showing how far Burnham's description agrees with or differs 
 from that of a genuine or real Brahma. 
 
 "When, in 1850 and '51, the ' Bot/ier' ems' began to be 
 brought into notice, I saw at once that, although this was 
 bubble number two, it ought to have been number one 
 decidedly. 
 
 "Never was a grosser hum perpetrated than this was, 
 from beginning to end, even in the notorious hum of the 
 hen-trade. There was absolutely nothing whatever in it, 
 about it, or connected with it, that possessed the first shade 
 of substance to recommend it, saving its name. And even 
 this could not have saved it, but from the fact that nobody 
 (not even the originator of the unpronounceable cognomen 
 himself) was ever able to write or spell it twice in the same 
 manner. 
 
 "The variety of fowl itself was the Grey Chittagong, to 
 which allusion has already been made, and the first samples 
 
■Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 13 
 
 of which I obtained from 'Asa Rugg,' (Dr. Kerr) of Phila- 
 delphia in 1850. Of this no one now entertains a doubt. 
 They were the identical fowl all over — size,, plumage, and 
 characteristics.* 
 
 "But my friend the Doctor wanted to put forth some- 
 thing that would take better than his ' Plymouth Rocks ;' 
 and so he consulted me as to a name for a brace of grey 
 fowls I saw in his yard. I always objected to the multiply- 
 ing of titles,; but he insisted, and finally entered them at 
 our Fitchburg Dep6t Show as ' Burrampooters,' all the way 
 from India. 
 
 "These three fowls were bred from Asa Rugg's Grey 
 Chittagong cock, with a yellow Shanghae hen, in Plymouth, 
 Mass. They were an evident cross, all three of them having 
 a top knot! But, n'importe. They were then 'Burram- 
 pooters.' 
 
 * As the Chittagong has been affirmed by others besides Bumhain to be identical 
 with, the Brahma, it may be as well to state, what is not perhaps generally known, 
 that Dr. Bennett was a great admirer and breeder of this fowl before he obtained 
 his Brahma stock, and could not have failed to detect any similarity. In the 
 American Poultry Book of 1850, he gives a detailed description of it, stating the 
 cock to be of a grey color in the body, and the legs usually quite clear, but 
 occasionally feathered, with very frequently nine or ten toes between them, and the 
 comb large aTtd single. No evidence could be plainer of a Dorking cross ; and 
 accordingly Dr. Kerr, another well-known breeder of the variety, who is alluded to 
 by Bumham in this very paragraph, describes it as "a mongrel, and like all mongrels, 
 of little real value." Both he and Geo. Smith, Esq., of Philadelphia, unite in 
 describing the birds as "poor layers and bad sitters," very lazy, and subject to gout 
 in the feet. These testimonies from the two gentlemen who have bred the Chittagong 
 most extensively in America, must be of far. more weight than the opinion of any 
 in England who have never seen the bird ; and the assertion that a fowl possessing 
 the qualities described, by a lucky cross originated the Brahma, makes larger 
 (lemands on our credulity than almost any other theory which could be advanced. 
 
14 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. L 
 
 " Subsequently these fowls came to be called ' Buram- 
 pootras,' 'Barram Putras,' ' Bramapooters,' 'Brahmas,' 'Brama 
 Puters; 'Brama Poutras/ and at last 'Brahma Pootras.' In 
 the meantime, they were advertized to be exhibited at various 
 fairs in different parts of the country under the above changes' 
 of title, varied in certain instances as follows : ' Burma Porters,' 
 ' Bahama Paduas,' ' Bohemian Pudras,' ' Bahama Pudras ;' and 
 for these three last named, prizes were actually offered at a 
 Maryland fair in 1851 ! 
 
 " Peter Snooks, Esq. it appears had the honour to be the 
 fortunate possessor of this invaluable variety of fancy poultry 
 in its unadulterated purity of blood. He furnished from his 
 own yard samples of this rare and desirable stock for His 
 Royal Highness Prince Albert, and also sent samples to 
 several other noted potentates, whose taste was acknowledged 
 to be unquestionable, including the King of Roratonga, the 
 Rajah of Gabblesquash, His Majesty of the Cannibal 
 Islands, and the Mosquito King. Peter supplies the annexed 
 description of the superior properties of this variety of 
 fowls : — 
 
 '"The 'Bother' em Pootrums' are generally hatched from 
 eggs. The original pair were not ! they were sent from India^ 
 by way of Nantucket, in a whale ship. 
 
 "'They are a singularly picture-squee fowl from the very 
 shell. Imagine a crate-full of lean, plucked chickens, taking 
 leg-bail for their liberty, and persevering around Faneuil Hall 
 at the rate of five miles an hour, and you have an idea of 
 their extremely ornamental appearance. 
 
 "'They are remarkable for producing bone, and as re- 
 
Chap. I. ] Origin of the Brahma. 15 
 
 markable for producing offal. I have had one analysed lately 
 by a celebrated chemist with the following result — 
 
 Feathers and Offal 39"oo 
 
 Bony Substances So"00 
 
 Very tough Muscle and Sinew 9*00 
 
 Miscellaneous Residuum z'oo 
 
 100 "oo' 
 
 " A peculiarly well-developed faculty in this extraordinarily 
 fine breed of domestic fowl is that of eating. ' A tolerably 
 well-fed Bother'em will dispose of as much corn as a common 
 
 horse,' insists Mr. S . This goes beyond me; for I have 
 
 found that they could be kept on the allowance, ordinarily, 
 that I appropriated daily to the same number of good sized 
 store hogs. As to affording them all they would eat, I never 
 did that. Oh no ! I am pretty well off, pecuniarily ; but not 
 rich enough to attempt any such foolhardy experiment as 
 that! 
 
 "But Snooks is correct about one thing. 'They are not 
 fastidious or particular about what they eat.' Whatever is 
 portable to them is adapted to their taste for devouring. Old 
 hats. India-rubber, boots and shoes, or stray socks are not 
 out-of-the-way fare with them. They are amazingly fond of 
 com, especially a good deal of it. They will eat wheaten 
 bread rather than want." 
 
 This matchless effusion was at the time considered by many 
 to settle the question as to the origin of Brahmas ! By some 
 it may be thought to do so still : others will wonder whether 
 any one would like to hang a house-cat upon such evidence : 
 
1 6 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 for ourselves, we shall simply bring Mr. Burnham's state- 
 ments, as we would any other, to the test of facts. 
 
 And first it may be well to quote the account of the matter 
 given in The Poultry Yard, being a quotation from a letter 
 written by Mr. V. Cornish, of Connecticut, U. S. Mr. Cornish 
 says : 
 
 " In regard to the history of these fowls very little is known. 
 A mechanic, by the name of Chamberlain, in this city, first 
 brought them here. Mr. Chamberlain was acquainted with a 
 sailor, who informed him that there were three pairs of large 
 imported fowls in New York ; and he dwelt so much upon the 
 enormous size of these fowls, that Mr. Chamberlain furnished 
 him with money, and directed him to go to New York and 
 purchase a pair of them for him ; which he did at a great 
 expense. The sailor reported that he found one pair of light 
 gray ones, which he purchased ; the second pair was dark- 
 coloured ; and the third pair was red. The man in New 
 York, whose name I have not got, gave no account of their 
 origin, except that they had been brought there by some 
 sailors in the India ships. The parties through whose hands 
 the fowls came, as far back as Ihave been able to trace them, 
 are all obscure men. I obtained my stock from the original 
 pair brought here by Mr. Chamberlain, and have never crossed 
 them in the least. These fowls were named Chittagong by 
 Mr. Chamberlain, on account of their resemblance, in some 
 degree, to the fowls then in the country called by that 
 name ; but it is certain they never bred until they reached 
 this town." 
 
•Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 17 
 
 It should be remembered that this was the. first published 
 liistory of the matter ; but by advocates of the Cochin theory- 
 it was supposed to be disproved by that of Mr. Burnham, and 
 Tio inquiry seems to have been made by either party as to how 
 far either account was corroborated or confuted by other 
 testimony ; though it will at once be seen that this is the 
 ■question upon which almost everything depends. Here, there- 
 fore, we commenced our investigation ; and must in justice 
 Acknowledge our great obligations to Mr. F. Crook, who has 
 aided us by making special inquiries in America on our behalf 
 regarding circumstances and facts now nearly forgotten, and 
 by information obtained in reply from various correspondents 
 .afforded us assistance, the value of which, in a question of this 
 kind, it is very difficult to estimate. 
 
 It appears then, both from the statements of private cor- 
 respondents and from various papers of the period, that the 
 first public exhibition of Light Brahmas took place at the 
 Fitzburg Poultry Show, on October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 1850. 
 They were chickens, and were the property of Dr. J. C. 
 Bennett, of Great Falls. This pen was considered magnificent 
 in every way, and was the principal attraction of the show. 
 The obvious question at once occurs, from whom did Dr. 
 Bennett procure these birds ? and it is impossible to doubt his 
 own statement, made in answer to every enquiry, that he had 
 " purchased them, at a very high figure, from Mr. Cornish, of 
 Connecticut" A portion of Mr. Cornish's letter, not quoted in 
 The Poultry Yard, states that Chamberlain, brought his fowls 
 into the State in the early part of 1849 : and it will be seen 
 that these facts and dates, though entirely independent. 
 
1 8 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 corroborate Mr. Cornish's account in every particular, and 
 Mr. Burnham's general claim to have been the first breeder 
 of Brahmas at once falls to the ground. 
 
 Dr. Bennett bred from this pair of chickens shown' at 
 Fitzburg, and the produce were of the first order; for in 
 November, 1851, he again exhibited chickens of this breed, as 
 did also Mr. Parkinson and Mr. S. O. Hatch, all of Connecticut. 
 Again these Brahmas were the centre of attraction ; but on 
 this occasion Mr. Hatch beat the Doctor, who straightway 
 purchased all of Mr. H.'s birds at the show. These facts 
 also strongly, though indirectly, corroborate Mr. Cornish's- 
 account, proving on the one hand that, for at least two' 
 seasons, Connecticut was the head quarters of the breed, and 
 on the other, that from the very first it bred with extreme 
 purity as regards all the characteristics. 
 
 We also find distinct evidence as to Mr. Burnham, who, it 
 appears, was a large professed dealer in and breeder of poultry 
 as a matter of business. He visited the New England 
 Society's Show in 1850, and endeavoured to purchase some of 
 the Brahma stock there exhibited, but failed. On this occa- 
 sion he admitted, both to Mr. Cornish, who was also there, 
 and to Mr. Morse, the Secretary, that he had never seen any-^ 
 thing like them before, and again that he " had never seen the 
 pure Brahma-Pootras before," although he had (as we also- 
 find) been selling birds he called Brahmas before this, and at 
 high prices. Amongst other testimony to the latter fact, and 
 also to the essential difference at this date between Burnham's 
 sham Brahmas and Dr. Bennett's genuine ones, at the same 
 Society's (New England) Show in 1852, Dr. De Gray stated 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. I9» 
 
 that he had previously bought some of Mr. Burnham's so- 
 called Light Brahmas, and they were " no more like the true 
 Brahmas than an owl is like a hawk 1 " and that having just 
 afterwards purchased a pair of Dr. Bennett's strain, for whicb 
 he gave fifty dollars, "he was actually offered 150 dollars 
 for them, which he refused ! " 
 
 It appears, therefore, indisputable, that up to 1852 Mr, 
 Burnham had no real Brahmas in his possession ; but having a. 
 large number of Cochins, of all colours, that he endeavoured 
 to imitate for business purposes a fowl he found so popular 
 and valuable, at the same time being perfectly aware of the 
 great difference between the real strain and his own. What 
 he may have done after that date is uncertain : it is believed 
 that at the Boston Show in 1852 some of the real Brahmas 
 were purchased for him, though not in his name ; and in 
 singular contrast to the amusing passage above quoted, we 
 accordingly find him writing concerning these birds : " the- 
 specimens exhibited at the late fair in Boston, 1852, were 
 extraordinary specimens, both old and young — they are really 
 an extraordinary race, and cannot fail to become popular." 
 
 Regarding the question of personal testimony, therefore, as 
 between Mr. Cornish or Dr. Bennett on the one hand, and 
 Mr. Burnham on the other, there cannot now be two opinions. 
 That Burnham bred, many tolerable imitations before he got 
 possession of real Brahmas, is likely enough, and the distribu- 
 tion of these birds has done more to complicate the whole 
 question than anything else ; as they have been not only bred 
 inter se, but crossed in all good faith with the genuine race, 
 so giving rise to strains of all degrees of purity and shades of 
 
30 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. l, 
 
 character. Thus, the difference in shape of the Light birds 
 sent by him to the Queen in 1852, and the Darks sent by him 
 after, as shown in the cuts of The Illustrated London News, is 
 ■most apparent. Mr. Tegetmeier hence argues that Dark 
 and Light had " very distinct origins ; " but it is apparent 
 to every breeder of the fowl that the one variety figured 
 ■{the Dark) is a Brahma, while the other is not ; and the 
 inference is, that previously to the last consignment Burnham 
 had got hold of the genuine strain, again exactly corrobo- 
 rating the testimony above. But there is other evidence 
 of the same fact. Thus, in the Cottage Gardener of 1853, 
 Mr. P. Jones states the fact of a pair of grey chickens he 
 bought breeding "silver cinnamon" offspring ; whilst the 
 pure unmixed stock of Dr. Gwynne (who had his direct 
 from Dr. Bennett), Mr. Sheehan, and others, "invariably 
 bred pure grey." Again, in December of the same year, the 
 Editor of the same journal states, that "while what have 
 t)een considered as the purest strain of the Brahma- Pootras 
 :have thrown pure chickens only, we know on good authority 
 that the produce of imported birds of equally high pretensions 
 have produced buff chickens with black hackles." Nothing 
 can be clearer, than that from the first date of their being 
 known in England, Dr. Bennett's strain of Brahmas bred true, 
 whilst there were other birds, also imported, and " of equally 
 high pretensions," which did not. 
 
 So far then as positive evidence is concerned, when correlated 
 Tvith well ascertained circumstances, it must be considered 
 decisively to establish the fact that Burnham's account was a 
 -deception, (except so far as it may describe the origin of his 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 21 
 
 sham birds), while Mr. Cornish was correct ; and that all the 
 genuine Brahmas were bred from the original pair brought 
 into Connecticut by Mr. Chamberlain. But it still remains 
 to determine what these fowls were. They might as possibly 
 have been Grey Shanghaes as those Burnham says he bought 
 of his " enterprising captain ;" and we have now therefore to- 
 examine the fowl itself, to see if any light can be thrown, 
 upon what after all is the most important question. 
 
 And first of all, we find neither testimony nor facts to- 
 corroborate the opinion that there were two races of "very 
 distinct origin," whilst many facts prove there was but one^ 
 We have made many enquiries relative to this matter, and all 
 with the same result. Miss Watts, whose strain is probably 
 the only one now existing which has not been crossed, has 
 assured us in the most distinct manner that she had but 
 one stock, from which by selection she has bred both Dark and 
 Light. To put the matter more definitely still, Mr. Joseph 
 Hinton — also one of our oldest breeders — states that his birds 
 were originally Light, from Mr. Garbanati, Dr. Gwynne, and 
 Mr. Davies of Hounslow. He afterwards received a medium 
 coloured or rather dark cock from Mr. J. K. Fowler, from 
 which bird and the darker of his Light hens, he bred a most 
 beautiful Dark cock (second at the Crystal Palace Show) and 
 several hens so heavily and intensely marked as to be almost 
 black. From these birds were bred his well-known cock 
 Cliampion, and hens as we see them now. Thus, by the third 
 year, and solely by the established rules of breeding, he had 
 tratisformed his strain from Light to Dark, obtaining also in 
 transit several laced birds of great beauty, which it is a pity 
 
22 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 were not perpetuated. In our own yard, we have found that 
 black Brahmas could be easily bred if necessary, or on the 
 other hand, that they could be brought back again to Light. 
 Now it is incontestable that the first Brahmas were neither so 
 dark nor so light as now. They were always called grey, a 
 term which would not describe either variety now shown. 
 Since, then, undoubted Light strains can produce Dark, and 
 Dark have a constant tendency, if bred carelessly, to produce 
 Light, it is obvious that the original intermediate strain would 
 breed either with much greater facility, and may well be the 
 parent stock of both.* 
 
 In the absence, therefore, of any evidence whatever of the 
 sudden appearance of a second variety (for Mr. Burnham's 
 
 * It is right to state that Mr. Teebay strongly dissents from our view, and believes 
 that there must liave been another original strain to produce the Dark variety ; 
 though he holds as strongly as we do that the breed was pure. The grounds of his 
 opinion are, that he found it impossible after several years of care in breeding, to 
 get hens with the solid dark pencilling now shown ; while he imported from 
 America at a very early period birds as dark as any ever seen. There is great 
 weight in this objection, and we can only say, that having spent more time in the 
 investigation of the matter than we believe any one else has done, the ascertainable 
 
 Jacts led us to the conclusion above stated. It is however possible enough that the 
 whole "three pairs" of fowls mentioned, as seen by Chamberlain in New York, 
 may have been Brahmas. As elsewhere stated, we think little of the "color" test, 
 and should never thmk of doubting the fact, were there any evidence of it, simply 
 because one pair was red, but should seek for proofs in other points which truly 
 characterize the fowl. Were such really the case, we have often thought that the 
 third or "very dark" pair may have got into some other hands and produced the 
 Dark strain so much admu-ed. This is fair hypothesis, but there is no evidence 
 either way. We have seen that the Dark Brahma can be bred from the Light, or 
 rather the Grey ; and on this and other evidence contend simply that the fowl is of 
 one race; were the case as supposed it would remove Mr. Teebay's difficulty, but 
 would not affect our argument more than the different importations of Partridge 
 
 and Buff Shanghaes. 
 
Chap. L] Origin of the Brahma. 23 
 
 account, with the light now thrown upon it, must be counted 
 as zero) it seems probable that there was but one genuine 
 original strain. This by no means implies that it did not 
 breed true to colour, for every other variety is capable of being 
 modified in a similar way, and care and judgment are needed 
 incessantly to keep the plumage to a definite standard, as 
 every fancier knows. It will moreover have been noticed 
 that all the variation for several years was confined to degrees 
 of black or grey, although of late, in the purest dark strains, a 
 trace of reddish brown is very often visible in both sexes. 
 This last is sufficiently accounted for by the constant tendency 
 of all dark fowls to " throw back" to the black-red plumage of 
 the original type ; still, to make purity of color the proof of 
 Brahmas being a distinct race, as Miss Watts and some others 
 have done, seems to us a mistake, and the attempt cannot be 
 sustained. We simply assert that all the evidence we have, 
 traces the fowl back to Mr. Cornish's stock ; and that all the 
 facts harmonize with the same theory; more it is neither 
 necessary nor prudent to affirm. 
 
 Having so far cleared the ground, we may now examine 
 the breed more in detail. And here we cannot do better than 
 again quote Mr. Tegetmeier, who was certainly the first, if not 
 the only one to argue the matter on a scientific basis. " It 
 has been remarked," he says,* " that it is a fact universally 
 recognized by comparative anatomists, that the distinguishing 
 characters of nearly allied varieties are more strongly marked 
 in the bones of the skull than in any other part of the body. 
 Now the skull of the Cochin is vaulted and arched, both from 
 
 • The Poultry Book, p. 61. 
 
24 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I, 
 
 before backwards and from side to side, and possesses a 
 peculiarly marked groove, extending from before backwards 
 <!)n the frontal bone; and — what every anatomist will regard 
 as a character of great value — the long axis of the aperture- 
 through which the spinal chord issues from the skull is the- 
 perpendicular one. Now in these characters the skull of the- 
 Brahma is identical ; whereas in all ordinary breeds of fowl 
 the long axis of the occipital foramen is placed transversely^ 
 the skull wants the distinguishing frontal peculiarities, and 
 the remarkable arched or vaulted character found in both 
 these breeds." 
 
 This argument is forcible, and strictly philosophic. In 
 order to do full justice to it, we have had engraved the 
 accompanying illustration, Fig. i. representing the occipital 
 foramen of a Cochin of the natural size, and Fig. 2. that of 
 the Gallus Bankiva, or wild type of the Game Fowl ; both 
 being taken from Mr. Darwin. It will be seen that not only 
 
 Fig. I. Fig. 2. 
 
 is the aperture much longer vertically, in proportion, in. 
 Fig. I. but assumes quite a triangular form, which is entirely 
 wanting in the foramen of the typical bird. Here then is a 
 character which, if the example were unique, would be of 
 unquestionably very great value. But when we come to 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 25 
 
 examine other breeds, Mr. Darwin himself (whose accuracy 
 is unimpeachable) tells us in the course of an investigation 
 unconnected with Brahmas altogether, that the skull of the 
 Dorking not unfrequently exhibits the same peculiar shape 
 of the foramen ; that it occasionally occurs in some other 
 breeds ; and that in one or two varieties of Bantams the 
 character is almost constant On the whole therefore, while 
 the craniological resemblance between Cochins and Brahmas 
 must be allowed great weight, it will not do for the present to 
 regard it as conclusive. 
 
 Similarly, the general outline, the gigantic size, the yellow 
 legs feathered to the toes, the colour of the eggs, the period of 
 laying (daily or nearly so) and the frequency of incubation, all 
 are points in which there is a great resemblance between the 
 two breeds. But here again qualification must be made. 
 There are other breeds which lay every day ; the Malay shares 
 the resemblance in size, colour of eggs, and massive yellow 
 shanks ; and the frequency of incubation on an average is 
 much less in the Brahma than the Cochin, though both are 
 greater than in other breeds. With regard to the latter point, 
 however, must be considered the hypothesis of a cross with 
 the Malay, which might be expected to produce just such 
 an effect on the reproductive organs ; and we now begin to 
 perceive how complicated are the conditions of the problem 
 to be solved. 
 
 In many other points, however, the differences between 
 Brahmas and Cochins are so marked and striking, that it is 
 strange so acute an observer as Mr. Tegetmeier should, in 
 common with other writers, have overlooked them. In addition 
 
26 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap, i, 
 
 to the well-known pea-comb and the prominent breast, which' 
 seem to have been the only points hitherto remarked, we 
 may draw attention to the length of the deaf-ears compared' 
 with the wattles ; ihe location of the crop, which in Cochins: 
 is adove and in Brahmas delozu the normal position ; and the- 
 peculiar formation of the tail, which is more fully described 
 and illustrated in Chapter III. The latter we regard as: 
 perhaps the strongest character of all. 
 
 Returning here for a moment to early personal testimony, 
 we may remark that in the summer of 1852, before any 
 Brahmas had arrived in England; Dr. Bennett wrote of them 
 that they differed from Shanghaes as follows : " comb {i.e.. 
 when single) and wattles smaller, but ear-lobes much longer ;, 
 shorter in leg and more compact (a most remarkable assertion 
 when the alleged Malay cross is considered — see Mr. Crook's 
 experience, page 29), deeper breasted and shorter quartered." 
 The voice is also a point of some value in a question of this 
 kind. It is therefore important to note, that while the crow 
 of both Cochin and Malay is hoarse and guttural, as is too- 
 well known by unlucky neighbours, that of the Brahma, when 
 mature, is almost always long and clear. Still there are 
 exceptions, and we have found either character hereditary; so 
 that this feature, so far as it goes, would point to a different 
 origin for certain strains — a conclusion singularly corroborated 
 by the actual evidence already reviewed. 
 
 In general habits and carriage we get on rather more defi- 
 nite ground, the Brahma having a distinct character of its- 
 own. It is the most active of any variety except the Game ^ 
 sprightly and alert in spite of its great size, it is up the first 
 
Ciap- 1] Origin of the Brahma. 2^ 
 
 and goes to roost the last of all our breeds. The carriage of 
 the cock differs greatly from that of both Malay and Cochin, 
 being bold and free, after the style of the Game fowl, and with 
 a decisive, vigorous, clean step very remarkable in so large a 
 breed. The bird is likewise of very high courage ; yet is quite 
 devoid of ferocity, and of a very tame and sociable disposition, 
 differing greatly from both the alleged parents of his race. 
 In both sexes there will also be observed peculiarities in the 
 shape and carriage of the head and wjngs. 
 
 Still further, we will here quote Mr. F. Crook of Forest 
 Hill, a well-known exhibitor of Light Brahmas, and an 
 authority on all points connected with that breed. Knowing 
 this gentleman to have paid great attention to the question 
 we are considering, and to have made many experiments in 
 crossing with special reference to it, we requested that he 
 would favor us with any definite conclusions he had arrived 
 at. Respecting pure-bred Cochins he remarks : 
 
 "A great evidence against the Shanghse origin of Brahmas 
 is the ground-colour of the plumage. "White Cochins are 
 white-feathered down to the skin, which latter usually appears 
 yellow : whereas in really good Light Brahmas the fluff of the 
 feather is grey, and so abundant that the skin is with difficulty 
 seen — when however made visible it is not yellow, but of a 
 pinky cast. Again, the very finest single-combed birds, with 
 many good pea-combed ones — in fact all the first birds seen 
 in this country, and many of the very best since, had a 
 perceptible bar or splash of black upon the wing ; and the 
 best single-combed birds now bred in America have it still. 
 Now this is a point which beyond controversy never occurred 
 
28 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 in White Cochins, and is almost conclusive to one acquainted 
 with the two breeds. Another very peculiar feature in Light 
 Brahmas is the peculiar narrow white fringe on the feathers 
 of the cock's tail ; this is now difficult to obtain even in good 
 strains, but in " experimental " birds is never seen at all." 
 
 The great force of these observations can only be felt by 
 those practically acquainted with the matter. On the point 
 of the white edge alluded to in the upper feathers of the cock's 
 tail, we can testify from experience that though breeders have 
 endeavoured to banish it, the tendency yet exists even in 
 Dark Brahmas, still further proving that they had a common 
 and not a " very distinct " origin from the Light. Only last 
 season, breeding from a cock of Mr. Teebay's strain, without a 
 vestige of white in the tail, and an unusually dark hen, origin- 
 ally a cup pullet of Mr. Boyle's, we found the point in question 
 distinctly developed in both of the only two cockerels allowed 
 to grow to maturity. In one the white edge was perfect, 
 forming a fine white line entirely up each side of both feathers 
 about -Tj. in. wide ; in the other the white line existed about 
 half the length of the feathers. There were no other white 
 marks or splashes of any kind, and the appearance would have 
 been at once noticed by any fancier as most characteristic, 
 though it has never previously been mentioned in connection 
 with Brahmas.* 
 
 * Mr. Joseph Hinton draws our attention also to the color of the legs. White 
 Cochins have a constant tendency to breed olive-colored or green legs, v^hich is a 
 well-known disqualification in the show pen. Now Light Brahmas when pure 
 bred, have never been known to produce a, green leg, very strongly corroborating 
 the hypothesis presently advanced, that they belong to the more ancient race of 
 the two. 
 
Chap. 1.] Origin of the Brahma. 29 
 
 Respecting a cross as the possible origin of Brahmas, Mr. 
 Crook has transcribed from his notes the nearest results of 
 many attempts made by him in this direction, which as they 
 have never been published will be interesting. 
 
 "Parents, White Cochin Cock and Cuckoo Dorking hen. 
 Produce : large framed heavy hens, of nearly white ground, 
 color speckled and streaked with grey. The cocks fine form 
 and shape, with speckled body on white ground. Combs 
 single ; legs of both sexes poorly feathered, and tails much too 
 large. This produce however appeared to me likely to answer 
 the purpose ; so I mated one of the cocks again with white 
 Dorking hens. The produce had better feathered legs, but 
 were bad shape and nearly white, shanks mostly pink ; combs 
 single as before. 
 
 " Parents, grey Malay cock with white Cochin hens. The 
 produce was nearer the mark in many respects than the last 
 named, the pullets being queer shaped birds with white bodies, 
 straight tails, and lightly pencilled hackles, head neat, but bad 
 expression, and comb hardly visible. The cockerels had white 
 compact bodies, lightly pencilled hackles, tail full but drooping* 
 and genuine long, flat, Malay quarters ; comb coarse and warty. 
 The best cockerel was a beautiful bird in all but what I wanted. 
 
 " Parents, Partridge Cochin cock with white Dorking hens. 
 Produce : pullets with whitish dull grey bodies and pencilled 
 hackles, very heavy in color. Cocks large-framed birds with 
 fair shape, dark grey bodies and heavy hackle ; single comb. 
 
 * This is to be noted, as compared with the remarkably erect tail of the Brahma, 
 much more erect than that of the Cochin. 
 
30 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 " I mated this last cockerel again with white Cochin hens. 
 Produce: Cochin-like, bad-shaped, but finely framed heavy- 
 hens, of white ground color with the body feathers prettily 
 laced, and hackles darkly pencilled. Cockerels fine heavy 
 birds similar in color to the pullets, but rather lighter, with 
 single combs. 
 
 " One of these last cockerels I mated again with buff Cochin 
 hens. Produce; lai^e pullets, buff and brown on the back, 
 hackles pencilled, legs well feathered, with single combs. 
 Cocks similar, but more brownish yellow all over, with 
 pencilled hackles and single combs. A pen of these last 
 were sent to a show in 1864, with the notification, 'this pen 
 is the result of many attempts to produce a Light Brahma.' 
 No notice was taken of them in any way. 
 
 " I should add, that seeing a remark in pririt which much 
 astonished me, to the effect that any two opposite varieties of 
 fowl with single combs would produce a true triple or pea- 
 comb, I tried the very varieties mentioned as an instance, viz., 
 a Cochin hen with a Spanish cock ; but the result with me was 
 a perfectly arched Spanish comb of finer quality than usual." 
 
 In fact, the mere probability against a new breed of 
 fowls being founded, by any cross at once breeding true to 
 colour and feather (to say nothing of other points) is so strong, 
 that the theory would never have been entertained at all, were 
 not certain instances apparently established in which such 
 has been the case. Few as such instances are, we must 
 therefore for the present admit there is a bare possibility that 
 Brahmas may have formed another example of this rare 
 
■Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 31 
 
 phenomenon in breeding; and proceed to consider rather more 
 minutely the pea-comb, which, as being so peculiar, we 
 might reasonably hope would assist us in arriving at the 
 truth, and bringing our investigation of this curious subject 
 to a close. 
 
 This comb is unique, differing both from the single, the 
 rose, the cup, and Malay comb ; and while it is unquestionable 
 that many of the early pure Brahmas had single combs, it is 
 still more incontestable that the great majority had from the 
 first this peculiar pea-comb, which had such a superior vitality 
 or relationship to the breed, as to remain a predominant 
 feature in the fowl. Now it will have been noticed, that not 
 only did Mr. Crook's experiment of crossing Spanish with 
 Cochins fail to produce this comb, but the Malay cross — often 
 .alleged as the source — failed likewise. We also know for a 
 fact, that scores of attempts have been made by other parties 
 to produce the pea-comb by a Malay cross, without effect. 
 These facts seem conclusive, and are often quoted as such by 
 those who hold to the distinctiveness of the Brahma. Yet 
 one indisputable exception in a case of this kind has the force 
 of many ; and there are several instances of the true pea-comb 
 •entirely independent of any Brahma cross. Many years ago 
 ;a correspondent of The Poultry Chronicle related how he had 
 obtained it by crossing a Malay hen with a Cochin cock — the 
 reverse of Mr. Crook's experiment ; and Mr. Joseph Hinton 
 has recorded the fact of having obtained seven or eight pea- 
 <;ombed chickens in one brood, from the very cross between 
 Spanish and Cochin which Mr. Crook attempted in vain. He 
 also states that he has observed "capital pea-combs" more 
 
32 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. L 
 
 than once upon his pure-bred Malays, and yet another upon a, 
 mongrel whose parentage could not be identified.* In rare 
 instances pea-combs have been observed upon pure-bred 
 Cochins. Lastly, the Sumatra game-fowl has a pea-comb 
 — smaller and less distinct, it is true, than that of the Brahma, 
 but still typical and well marked. 
 
 Here, then, we appear further from any definite conclusion 
 than ever, and at first sight it seems as if this vexed question 
 were to baflSe every possible avenue of investigation ! But, as is 
 often the case, we get our clearest light where we least expect 
 it. Ere we know it, we are getting on definite scientific 
 ground, and there are facts and principles which not only 
 furnish a clue to these apparently contradictory phenomena, 
 but make them actual guides to the issue of our inquiry. 
 
 These principles, in some of their results, are known to all 
 breeders, and are seen in daily operation in the return of 
 cross-bred races to one or the other of the original parents. 
 This much, we say, is known to all poultry breeders. But 
 Mr. Darwin, whose facts are most reliable, whatever we may 
 think of his inferences, has also pointed out (we think for the 
 first time) that, besides this, "the very act of crossing gives an 
 impulse to reversion, as shown by the re-appearance of long- 
 lost characters." That is, not only do the offspring of crossed 
 varieties continually tend to return to one or other of the 
 
 * In a letter received since the above was in type, Mr. Hinton informs us that tlie 
 mongrel in question was a small bird of black-red game color ; and also that in 
 April 1869, whilst on a journey, he came across another mongrel bird with a well- 
 marked pea comb. This latter might have been 7 lbs. weight, and like the other, 
 was black-red in color. The legs were dark olive green, with five claws on each 
 ibot ;— shewing evidently a Malay origin, crossed probably with the Dorking. 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 33 
 
 immediate parents, but the immediate progeny very often 
 exhibit characteristics not found in citJier of these parents, but 
 which can be traced back either to the primitive wild type 
 itself, or at least to some form far more ancient than the- 
 actual progenitors. As this matter is both important to our 
 inquiry and highly curious, we quote the evidence on which. 
 Mr. Darwin establishes the fact almost entire. 
 
 " My attention was first called to this subject, and I was led to make numerous- 
 experiments, by M. M. Boitard and Corbie having stated that when they crossed 
 certain breeds, pigeons coloured like the wild C. livia, or the common dovecot — 
 namely, slaty-blue, with double black wing bars, sometimes chequered with black, 
 white loins, the tail barred with black, with the outer feathers edged with white — 
 were almost invariably produced. I selected pigeons, belonging to true and 
 ancient breeds, which had not a trace of blue or any of the above specified marks ;. 
 but when crossed, and their mongrels re-crossed, young birds were continually 
 produced, more or less plainly coloured slaty blue, with some or all of the proper 
 characteristic marks. I may recal one case, namely, that of a pigeon hardly dis- 
 tinguishable from the wild Shetlanc^ species, the grandchild of a red-spot, white 
 &ntail, and two black barbs, from any of which, when purely bred, the production 
 of a pigeon coloured like the wild C. livia would have been almost a prodigy. 
 
 " I was thus led to make the experiments recorded in the seventh chapter,* on 
 fowls. I selected long established, pure breeds, in which there was not a trace of 
 red, yet in several of the mongrels feathers of this colour appeared ; and one mag- 
 nificent bird, the of&pring of a black Spanish cock and white silk hen, was coloured 
 almost exactly like the wild Callus bankiva. All who know anything of the 
 breeding of poultry will admit that tens of thousands of pure Spanish and of pure 
 Trhite Silk fowls have been reared without the appearance of a red feather. The 
 feet, given on the authority of Mr. T^etmeier, of the firequent appearance in 
 mongrel fowls of pencilled or transversely barred feathers, like those common to 
 many gallinaceous birds, is likewise apparently a case of reversion to a character 
 formerly possessed by some ancient progenitor of the family. . . I have beea- 
 
 •This and other references refer to Mr. Darwin's "Variation of Animals and 
 Plants," and are preserved for the sake of those who may desire to study this- 
 curious subject fiurther. 
 
.34 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. L 
 
 informed by Mr. B. P. Brent, that he crossed a white Aylesbury drake and a black 
 so-called Labrador duck, both of which are true breeds, and he obtained a young 
 •drake closely like the mallard. 
 
 " We have seen in the fourth chapter that the so-called Himalayan rabbit, with 
 its snow-white body, black ears, nose, tail, and feet, breeds perfectly true. This 
 race is known to have been formed by the union of two varieties of silver-grey 
 rabbits. Now, when a Himalayan doe was crossed by a sandy-coloured buck, a 
 silver-grey rabbit was produced, and this is evidently a case of reversion to one of 
 the parent varieties. 
 
 " In the third chapter it was shown that at an ancient period some breeds of 
 ■cattle in the wilder parts of Britain were white with dark ears, and that the cattle 
 now kept half wild in certain parks, and those which have run quite wild in two 
 distant parts of the world, are likewise thus coloured. Now an experienced 
 breeder, Mr. J. Beasley, of Northamptonshire, crossed some carefully selected 
 West Highland cows with purely bred short-horn bulls. The bulls were red, red 
 .and white, or dark roan ; and the Highland cows were all of a red colour, inclin- 
 ing to a light or yellow shade. But a considerable number of the offspring — and 
 Mr. Beasley calls attention to this as a remarkable fact — were white, or white with 
 red ears. Bearing in mind that none of the parents were white, and that they 
 were purely bred animals, it is highly probable that here the offspring reverted, in 
 ■consequence of the cross, to the colour either of the aboriginal parent species or of 
 some ancient and half-wild parent breed. 
 
 "In the chapter on the horse reasons were assigned for believing that the 
 primitive stock was striped and dun-coloured : and details were given showing that 
 in all parts of the world stripes of a dark colour frequently appear along the spine, 
 across the legs, and on the shoulders, where they are occasionally double or 
 treble, and even sometimes on the face and body of horses of all breeds and of all 
 colours J but the stripes appear most frequently on the various kinds of duns. 
 They may sometimes plainly be seen on foals, and subsequently disappear. The 
 <lun-colour and the stripes are strongly transmitted when a horse thus characterized 
 is crossed with any other; but I was not able to prove that stripes are generally 
 produced from the crossing of two distinct breeds, neither of which are duns, 
 though this does sometimes occur. 
 
 " The legs of the ass are often striped, and this may be considered as a reversion 
 to the wild parent form, the Asinus taniopus of Abyssinia, which is thus striped. 
 As with the horse, I have not acquired any distinct evidence that the crossing of 
 differently coloured varieties of the ass brings out the stripes. But now let us turn 
 to the result of crossing the horse and the ass. Although mules are not nearly so 
 numerous in England as asses, I have seen a much greater number with striped 
 
•Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 35 
 
 l^p, and with the stripes far more conspicuous than in either parent form. Such 
 mules are generally light-coloured, and might be called iailow-duns. The 
 shoulder-stripe in one instance was deeply forked at the extremity, and in another 
 instance was double, though united in the middle. Mr. Martin gives a figure of a 
 Spanish mule with strong zebra-like marks on its 1^, and remarks that mules are 
 particularly liable to be striped on their l^p. In South America, according to 
 Roulin, such stripes are more frequent and conspicuous in the mule than in the 
 ass. In the United States, Mr. Gosse, speaking of these animals, says, ' That in 
 a great number, perhaps in nine out of every ten, the l^s are banded with 
 transverse dark stripes.' 
 
 " The qua^a is banded over the whole front part of its body like a zebra, but 
 has no stripes on its legs, or mere traces of them. But in the famous hybrid bred by 
 Lord Morton from a chestnut, nearly pure bred Arabian mare by a male quagga, 
 the stripes ' were more strongly defined and darker than those on the legs of the 
 -qua^a.' The mare was subsequently put to a black Arabian horse, and bore two 
 colts, both of which were plainly striped on the legs, and one of them likewise had 
 Jtoipes on the neck and body. 
 
 "The Asinus Indicus is characterized by a spinal stripe, without shoulder or 
 leg stripes ; but traces of these latter stripes may occasionally be seen even in the 
 adult ; and Colonel S. Poole, who has had ample opportunities for observation, 
 informs me that in the foal, when first bom, the head and legs are often striped, 
 but the shoulder stripe is not so distinct as in the domestic ass : all these stripes, 
 excepting that along the spine, soon disappear. Now a hybrid, raised at 
 Knowsley from a female of this species by a male domestic ass, had aU four legs 
 transversely and conspicuously striped, had three short stripes on each shoulder, 
 .and had even some zebra-hke stripes on its face ! Dr. Gray informs me that he 
 has seen a second hybrid of the same parentage similarly striped. 
 
 " From these fects we see that the crossing of the various equine species tends 
 in a marked manner to cause stripes to appear on the various parts of the b/jdy, 
 ■especially on the l^p." 
 
 Now applying these observations and principles to our own 
 subject, we have seen that the pea-comb has been found on 
 the Malay, on the Cochin, on the Malay and Cochin cross, on 
 the Cochin and Spanish cross, on two mongrels, and — ^though 
 less defined — on the game bird of Sumatra ; and in every case 
 excepting the mongrel, whose parentage was simply unknown. 
 
36 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I, 
 
 (with the almost certainty of a Malay cross in one case) and 
 therefore cannot be considered exceptions, one or other of 
 the Asiatic breeds is implicated. In fact, each of the great 
 Asiatic races, when crossed, has been known thus to produce 
 the pea-comb by reversion ; while a third Asiatic race, which 
 has had the conservative advantage of an insular locality, 
 possesses it still. The conclusion is almost irresistible, that this 
 pea-comb was a leading characteristic of some ancient race of 
 fowls, the progenitor of all the gigantic Asiatic breeds. We 
 say a leading characteristic ; because while in the Malay, an 
 admittedly ancient race, the feathered leg (if such be regarded 
 as one of the original features) has long been lost, and also- 
 any tendency to transmit it, the inclination to revert to the 
 pea-comb still lingers ; and in the Shanghae, which is feathered, 
 and is also an ancient race, even the natural instinctive spirit 
 of the male bird has almost disappeared, while still a tendency 
 to this mysterious comb remains dormant in the breed. Very 
 strong and leading must any character have been, to possess 
 such wondrous vitaility and permanence. 
 
 And now the question at once occurs. What was that ancient 
 race ? Was it some breed now long extinct — ^progenitor alike 
 of Brahma, Cochin, and Malay ? or was it, rather, neither 
 more nor less than the Brahma itself f 
 
 We believe it was the latter. 
 
 This hypothesis seems startling, and we believe is altogether 
 new. It was not the opinion formerly held by ourselves ; but 
 we were gradually led to it by the evidence we have now laid 
 before the reader, which has been collected during a period of 
 more than three years, and on the ground of which alone it is. 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 37 
 
 now suggested. The real question is, What hypothesis best 
 explains the proven facts .'' and it will be found that by this 
 theory alone can every fact be harmonized with the rest and 
 exactly accounted for. The identity of the crania so justly 
 insisted on by Mr. Tegetmeier, is totally irreconcileable with 
 the marked difference in other points, and the strong vitality 
 of the pea comb as shown by reversion in crossing, on the 
 supposition that the Brahma is a recent descendant of the 
 Cochin ; but is quite so if we consider the Cochin to have 
 diverged many years ago from the Brahma. The gentle 
 and quiet disposition of the Shanghae race suggests that 
 most of the differences observable have arisen from extreme 
 domestication ; and the fondness of the Chinese for brilliant 
 colors would account also for changes in plumage. It is well 
 known that breeding Dark and Light Brahmas together 
 often produces a buff tinge, and partridge could be bred in 
 a few years with the greatest ease. So also, a cross back, 
 either to the original wild type of all our fowls (Gallus 
 Bankivd) or its domestic descendant, the game bird of 
 India, would produce a breed with long, smooth shanks, hard 
 plumage, and drooping tail, closely resembling the Malay. 
 In this manner each point of agreement, and each of difference, 
 is easily and naturally accounted for. 
 
 That the Brahma was an original wild type is not of course 
 in the slightest degree probable. But that it is more ancient 
 and less artificial than either of the other gigantic races seems 
 not only certain from the tendency of both to revert to its 
 peculiar comb when crossed, but from the circumstance that 
 it alone oFthe three still retains the free and active habits and 
 
38 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I. 
 
 high courage of a wild bird, with that clear crow (only become 
 more powerful from its great size) so characteristic of the cock 
 all over the world.* 
 
 The objection that the breed was not imported before, is- 
 puerile. Malays were imported long before Cochins, while 
 Cochins had only about two years' priority over Brahmas; and 
 as well might it be contended therefore that Shanghaes were 
 only Malays. We find, moreover, many testimonies to the- 
 fowl having been seen at different times, such as that of a. 
 clergyman who writes in May, 1856, "a relation of mine was- 
 looking at my fowls last summer, and on my telling him that 
 Brahmas were considered by many only a variety of Cochins,, 
 he remarked, ' I remember Brahma- Pootras when I first went 
 to India, more Hidin forty years since, long before Cochins were 
 heard of here : but they were considered a great rarity.' " We 
 could multiply statements to the same effect ; and they are 
 also said to have been seen in Ceylon, again implying that the 
 race is so ancient as to have reached various localities. At 
 the present time it is well known there is a splendid large 
 breed of fowls in Japan, but they are not yet " imported," and 
 it may be years before they are. 
 
 That the breed — of matchless strength and constitution as 
 it is, should have become almost extinct, is by no means a 
 matter for surprise. We have seen that forty years since they 
 were "a great rarity;" and it is probable enough that the 
 
 * Mudi stress cannot be laid upon it, but it is still worth noticing, that the Malay 
 has never been found to correspond altogether with the old Gallvs giganteus of 
 Temminck, so that some good authorities have doubted whether so large a bird ever 
 existed as described by that naturalist. We have often thought it, however, far 
 more likely that he was writing concerning some variety of the Brahma. 
 
Chap. I.] Origin of the Brahma. 39* 
 
 preference for gaudy colour which produced the more striking 
 plumage of the Cochin, led to a neglect of the Brahma's sober,, 
 though beautiful grey. We have also an exactly analogous ' 
 instance in the black-crested white Poland, which is known to 
 have been both larger and hardier than any of the present 
 breeds, but is now probably extinct, though it was seen by the 
 late Mr. B. P. Brent at St. Omer so late as 1845. 
 
 All the facts, therefore, from which scientific deduction 
 can be drawn, seem to point to one conclusion, against 
 which not one argument can be urged. Then, going back 
 to the history of the breed, and subjecting all the evidence 
 alike to independent investigation, we find every account 
 breaks down with ludicrous completeness, save one — confirmed 
 in every point — ^which traces all to one mysterious pair ! Yet 
 there is no change — save in shades of color from the breeder's 
 art — least of all is there degeneracy ; the Brahma came upon 
 the scene, and it still remains, the largest fowl ever known. 
 Was ever such a thing recorded of an ignoble race ? Would 
 Black Hamburghs, or any other modern creation, so remain ? 
 The fowl was put to the severest trial, that of the closest 
 possible consanguinity ; and it stood the test — a test which, 
 would have extinguished half our breeds. 
 
 But lastly, there are many who look to evidences of what 
 they call " blood," and who will ask. Does the fowl itself bear 
 out this theory ? Does it — as we see it now — ^bear the impress- 
 of such a pedigree as we now suppose ? 
 
 It does. It bears the stamp of nobility, plainly written.. 
 There are exceptions, caused by the past and present mistakes 
 of breeders, and even judges, who would seek to alter it to the 
 
40 Origin of the Brahma. [Chap. I 
 
 ■Cochin standard — wretched mistakes these are. But what we 
 regard as the true and highest type of a Brahma cock, is in 
 everything a lordly bird. Largest of all — dwarfing even the 
 ■Cochin, though his closer plumage and splendidly perfect pro- 
 portions makes him appear smaller than he really is — ^he has, 
 when in his prime, neither the heavy look of that breed, the 
 stolid " countryman" air of the Dorking, or the conceited 
 -carriage of the Spanish fowl. He belongs to a nobler race ; 
 and, colossal though he be, he treads the turf with the 
 grand stride and regal bearing of the Game fowl. No other 
 bird resembles him — no other bird can fight with him — no 
 other bird dare stand before him ! And if we ask the reason 
 it is not far to seek : the Game bird too is of royal blood 
 — his pedigree can be traced back for ages. 
 
 Surely, then, it is no mere fancier's enthusiasm to affirm 
 that our Brahma too derives his strength and courage from 
 iiis unstained descent Though never bred for fighting; though 
 he has not, therefore, like the Game cock, in veritable black 
 and white his quarterings to show, surely the evidence could 
 not be more complete. He, too, can boast a lineage as high : 
 the blood in his veins represents the original of the gigantic 
 races : he is " the descendant of a line of kings !" 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Economic Qualities and Management of tJie Brahma as a 
 
 Stock Fowl. 
 
 IN our introductory sentences we briefly expressed an opinion 
 which we may here repeat, that the Brahma will ultimately 
 be considered to occupy, in relation to other varieties of poultry, 
 a similar position to that of the Short-horn breed amongst the 
 various races of cattle ; or in other words, whilst by no means 
 faultless, or combining in itself every possible merit in perfection, 
 that it possesses a greater amount of real usefulness and value 
 than any other pure breed, and is also capable in an eminent 
 degree of communicating its good qualities to other fowls by 
 crossing. We have recommended it in many cases to persons 
 whose previous poultry-keeping experiments had not been 
 satisfactory; and in nearly every instance the fowl has fully 
 justified the confidence reposed in it, and earned the warm 
 encomiums of the parties concerned. At the same time the 
 bird is not suitable for every case, and requires to be understood 
 and rightly managed in order to yield a profitable result. 
 
 The progress of this breed in England is a remarkable 
 testimony to its solid value regarded as live stock. Imported, 
 as we have seen, in 1852, it shared in the "mania" (or "hen- 
 fever" as Burnham calls it) which prevailed then and afterwards, 
 and occasionally realized fabulous prices, sharing also with 
 Cochins the comparative neglect which followed. But while 
 the Cochin, so extravagantly lauded at first as destined to 
 
42 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. ii. 
 
 revolutionize English poultry, is scarcely ever heard of now 
 except as a fancy bird, with the Brahma the case is precisely 
 opposite. It has taken time for the fowl to become known, and 
 it was not till five or six years ago that its diffusion could be 
 considered at all general ; but a certain point once reached in 
 this respect, its growth in favor among the people has been the 
 most extraordinary poultry phenomenon of late years. Without 
 anything approaching "mania," the entries each year have 
 steadily increased, until at many shows the Brahmas now form 
 the most numerous classes exhibited ; and at the Royal 
 Agricultural Society's ShoW in 1867 the breed ousted even 
 the Dorking from its long-held position, and was justly elevated 
 to the first rank as agricultural poultry stock. And not only 
 in England has this been the case, but there is a continuous 
 and steadily increasing demand for good birds both from 
 America and the Colonies. Mr. Teebay lately informed us 
 that whatever chickens he could spare were always wanted 
 for the American market ; and a fair number of our own stock 
 are now living, and we trust thriving, in Australia. 
 
 A fowl which could thus grow in general popularity must 
 have many recommendations ; and in proceeding to describe 
 the economic qualities of the one in question, we may briefly 
 characterise it as remarkable alike for a handsome appearance, 
 great size, good quality of flesh, extraordinary fecundity, 
 remarkable power of adapting itself to the most varying 
 circumstances, and finally, an iron constitution. 
 
 The first point mentioned is not perhaps very material to 
 the present chapter, besides being greatly a matter of opinion; 
 and as we have already described the carriage of the male bird 
 
•Chap. II.] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. 43 
 
 as resembhng that of the Gatne-fowl, we will here only add, 
 that the head of a well-bred Brahma pullet is more beautiful 
 in shape and expression than that of any other breed what- 
 ever, leaving the rest to the remarkably faithful portraits 
 which accompany these pages. 
 
 As regards size, however, we quote veritable facts when we 
 affirm that the Brahma surpasses all other breeds, not excepting 
 the gigantic Cochin. It is, indeed, apt to look smaller than 
 the latter, on account of the plumage in good strains being 
 much closer than that of the Shanghae; but stature and the 
 scales tell a different tale. We have bred many cocks which 
 in their second year (the Brahma continues to grow during the 
 second season) reached thirteen to fourteen pounds, and we 
 have been told by Mr. Teebay of a cock he once had, which 
 when dead reached the enormous weight of nearly eighteett 
 pounds! We have seen several hens which weighed over 12 lbs., 
 but the heaviest we ever had in our possession was iiilbs.; 
 we have had several 10 lbs. If it is remembered that all these 
 birds were weighed as they ran in the yard, and that the 
 fowl is greatly free from that tendency to fatten so charac- 
 teristic of the Cochin, the claim of the Brahma to be considered 
 the largest known race of poultry will be readily allowed. 
 
 Such weights' as we have mentioned would be far more 
 general were the fowl bred for size as the Dorking is; the 
 present system of poultry exhibition making accuracy of 
 feather of such paramount importance, that it is often necessary 
 to breed from small birds in order to secure it. At present 
 the fair average weight of Brahma chickens at six months old, 
 unfattened, but well fed in their runs, may be considered as 
 
44- The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. IL 
 
 8 lbs. for the cockerels and 6 lbs. for the pullets. With a good 
 run and the best feeding, some of the cockerels will reach 
 even lolbs. at that age, and the largest pullets, perhaps, ^\Vo%.•y 
 but a fair average weight for the mature birds will be for the 
 cocks 1 1 lbs. to 12 lbs., and the hens 8 lbs. These are all given 
 as the weights of unfattened birds with a fair amount of 
 exercise : if penned and fed well with soft food, they will often 
 add the fourth of their weight in a few weeks ; and when it is 
 considered that the fowl which attains such a growth may be 
 reared with moderate care, even in January, with scarcely a 
 single death save from accident, the advantage so far over all 
 others is most apparent. 
 
 The quality of the meat is also good. We have often heard 
 it stated that the Brahma "is not worth eating;" and there are 
 birds which, by carelessness, or a cross with the Cochin, have 
 degenerated into coarseness of flesh; but whenever even 
 tolerably well bred, the fowl will be found almost, and very 
 often quite, equal to the Dorking. There is probably a little, 
 and only a little, less meat on the breast, but this is com- 
 pensated by the extra quantity and quality of that on the 
 thighs ; indeed many people think the leg of a Brahma cockerel 
 one of the best parts of the bird, and this great improvement 
 in what is the coarsest part of other breeds, counts very much 
 in estimating its value as a table bird. Altogether, the fowl 
 on the table is infinitely superior to nine-tenths of what can be 
 purchased at any poulterer's, and the skin should be either 
 white or of a delicate pink color. 
 
 We have a letter from Mr. F. Crook to the same efTect 
 "The flesh of a good Brahma," he says, "when cooked, is as 
 
Chap. II.] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. 45 
 
 ■white as that of any Dorking ; and with all the vaunted 
 superiority of the French breeds, I will engage to produce with 
 my birds, heavier fowls, flesh of equally good quality, and with 
 the finer parts equally well developed, with any stock they can 
 produce." We must in fairness admit that we think Mr. Crook 
 a little too laudatory here, the La Fleche having, to our 
 fancy, a juiciness only equalled by the Game-fowl; but this 
 breed is totally unsuited to our climate, and inferior in every 
 other point ; and that the Brahma can be bred equal to any 
 other of the French races we are persuaded. We had recently 
 a good opportunity of fairly testing the table value of our 
 own Brahmas as compared with Houdans, having hatched 
 and reared some Houdan cockerels in the same brood with 
 some of our Brahma stock, and had one of each on the 
 lable together. The Brahma had quite as much breast meat, 
 the quality was fully as good, and the quantity at least half 
 as much again, — a. very great point this last in rearing for 
 the market. 
 
 Judges have perhaps been somewhat in fault respecting this 
 point also ; for in many cases the bird, owing to the decisions 
 of arbitrators who do not understand the breed, has been bred 
 unconsciously towards a Cochin standard, and the quality of 
 the meat and proportions of the finer parts been thereby alike 
 deteriorated. We are writing of the Brahma as it is w/ien 
 unspoilt; and while bound to admit that it cannot equal the 
 ■Game fowl, and perhaps the La Fl^he, in the sapidity of its 
 flesh, our own experience is, that no other fowl surpasses it 
 even in these points, while it has also upon the table a noble 
 appearance which ought to go to the heart of materfamilias. 
 at once. 
 
46 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. II.. 
 
 The fecundity of the hens and pullets is very great. The pro- 
 duction of eggs is interfered with to a considerable extent by 
 the propensity to sit ; but notwithstanding this, when the birds 
 are kept simply as stock, we consider each one equal to the 
 production of nearly 150 eggs per annum, which is a very high 
 average.* The tendency to incubate varies greatly in different 
 individuals ; we have remarked even two sisters, hatched in the 
 same brood, one of which only laid about twenty eggs before 
 desiring to sit, and the other more than fifty. But in nearly 
 all Brahmas there is this peculiarity, which we do not think 
 has been before noticed, that the hens in their second year lay 
 very much longer than the pullets. For instance, a bird of our 
 own which we greatly valued for breeding, and which as a 
 pullet never laid more than about thirty eggs at a time, began 
 her second season before Christmas, and continued to lay five 
 or six eggs weekly, without stopping or showing the least 
 desire to sit, until early in April. The difference is perhaps 
 only seldom quite so marked as this, but is nearly always very 
 considerable, and makes the fowl as a layer far superior to the 
 Cochin, or indeed nearly any other. 
 
 Another great advantage in this breed is, that if broods are 
 not wanted, the tendency to incubation, unlike the Cochin, is 
 very easily checked. If the bird be taken from the nest at once,. 
 and put in a box-coop, or under a basket-coop on hard ground,, 
 with plenty of water but little food, two days will often effect 
 the purpose, especially if two birds can be thus cooped together. 
 
 * Many single birds of the Hamburgh or other breeds have been known to 
 lay much more than this : so have Brahmas ; but the average production of the stock 
 is the real test of a breed. In this tlie Brahma will equal any. 
 
Chap. II.] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. 47 
 
 as their quarrelling will assist in the task. If allowed to sit on 
 the nest a few days before being noticed, a week's confinement 
 may be necessary, and in less than a fortnight the bird will 
 usually lay again. It is always best to check the propensity 
 for at lejist the first time it occurs, and that instantly, unless 
 the pullet has laid on into the new year ; for if the bird was 
 hatched early, and desires to incubate, as she probably will, in 
 the autumn, she will often, if allowed to remain on the nest, 
 suffer a second nioult the same year, which will not only be a 
 very severe drain on the constitution, but may hinder any 
 further supply of eggs till late in the spring. Mistakes of 
 this kind will greatly affect the produce of the fowl. Moreover, 
 Brahma pullets are not to be recommended in general for very 
 early broods, as they usually lay again in about a fortnight 
 after hatching, and consequently totally abandon their chickens 
 at about a month old, when they are far too young to shift for 
 themselves. In May broods, however, this is no drawback, and 
 they commonly sit very steadily. The adult hens as a rule 
 are exemplary mothers in every way, and will generally go 
 with their nestlings about two months, after which with ordinary 
 care even early chickens will do very well if brought into the 
 house at night. Where many are reared, the pullets may be 
 employed even to hatch early broods, as no breed is so good- 
 natured and e£isily imposed upon by foster-children. If 
 therefore a second bird that has just hatched only a few 
 chickens be cooped near the one about to forsake hers, a 
 transfer is in most cases easily effected, and the chicks thus 
 protected some weeks longer. As Brahma pullets lay with 
 great regularity at six to seven months old, and usually sit 
 
48 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. Ii. 
 
 within two months after, they may thus be made exceedingly 
 •useful where a regular supply of early birds for market is 
 desired. Indeed, no breed so eminently possesses the merit of 
 regularity and certainty in the time of incubation, without 
 carrying it to a troublesome excess as is the case with the 
 Cochin. Some few hens may be clumsy, breaking the eggs or 
 crushing the chickens ; but as a rule we have found the fowl 
 more free from this fault than any other bird of the same size, 
 and have set the largest hens on Bantam eggs ere now without 
 any evil result. 
 
 The constitution of the chicks, when bred from mature birds, 
 is excellent. This point, as all fanciers know, has great 
 influence on the matter in every breed ; and we think Brahmas 
 have suffered perceptibly of late, in common with other 
 varieties, from the common practice of breeding from the last 
 year's chickens. In breeding for exhibition this is to a great 
 extent unavoidable ; but where Brahmas are kept as farm or 
 market stock, it will be found far the best to breed chiefly from 
 fowls which on one side at least are in their second year. The 
 chickens will then be nearly fledged and out of all danger at 
 about seven weeks old; but if bred from cockerels and pullets 
 mated together, as is frequently done, they will be very 
 long over the process, and often require much care. The little 
 cockerels in this case suffer more than the pulletSj being often 
 nearly bare before the true feathers appear, and consequently 
 much stunted in growth, so as to be considerably smaller 
 than the pullets in the same brood. Chickens thus bred, in 
 fact, ought not to be hatched before April, when their parents 
 will not only be a year old, but their tedious fledging causes 
 
Chap. IL] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. 49 
 
 little danger. The progeny of adult birds cannot possibly be 
 surpassed in hardihood, and may be reared with hardly a death 
 in the yard, if care be only taken to guard against cramp or 
 rheumatism in the legs during early seasons ; and at three 
 months old the cockerels will weigh from 3ilbs. to 4|lbs., 
 ■occasionally even more. 
 
 It will be seen then, that the Brahma has many and great 
 merits, and takes high rank as a stock fowl, either for the 
 supply of eggs or table use. But it will not answer in every 
 case. In those special localities, for instance, where the taste 
 of the public is so depraved as to insist upon ^a^^^df birds, the 
 Dorking will be found far more remunerative, having a natural 
 aptitude to accumulate fat which the Brahma (happily, to our 
 liking) does not possess. If ?«m/ of good' quality be desired, 
 our fowl will well bear comparison ; and it is a great advantage 
 to be able to kill early chickens of a good size, without any 
 extraordinary feeding or care; but as a grease-producer it 
 cannot compete with several other kinds. For this reason, 
 independent of the senseless prejudice against all feather- 
 l^ged birds, the breed would probably be found not well 
 .adapted to the London market. 
 
 The objection to feathered legs might be easily removed, and 
 birds totally without 'feathering bred in three years, by a little 
 care in selecting breeding stock ; but such would scarcely be 
 Brahmas as now known, and we should certainly regret the 
 change. We have however often thought that, thus modified, 
 and with the legs whitened, which we have proved in our own 
 case could be done very quickly by keeping on calcareous 
 ground, the bird might perhaps take another name and render 
 
50 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. IL 
 
 essential service to the English farmer. Somewhat more 
 length of leg would harmonize well with such a type of bird, 
 which would we believe meet with less prejudice than the pre- 
 sent feather-legged breed ; and the result would be — not a 
 Brahma certainly, as we are now writing of it^-but a noble 
 fowl of the same race, larger, handsomer, hardier, stronger,, 
 and more prolific than the Dorking, and with the noble 
 carriage of our English game — a breed, in fact, just suited to- 
 the British mind. We have now and then bred accidentally 
 birds which came very near such a description, and think the 
 experiment well worth suggesting to those who have room to 
 carry it out. 
 
 Again, where eggs alone are wanted, the Brahma does not 
 answer ; for if resolutely kept from having even one brood in 
 the season, the poor bird often pines away and loses constitution 
 through the excessive drain on its productive powers and the 
 continual denial of its strongest instincts. Disappointment has 
 frequently ensued from this cause, and the breed should never 
 be kept under such circumstances, but Spanish or some of the 
 French breeds be selected. It is only where some fair pro- 
 portion of chickens are wanted that the fowl shows to- 
 advantage : then, be the soil dry or damp, the aspect cold 
 or warm, the space unlimited or confined, it will thrive apace,, 
 and with ordinary attention produce a greater pecuniary return 
 than any other we are acquainted with. 
 
 Should circumstances hinder the incubation of any particular 
 hen, she should be allowed to sit for about six weeks on nest 
 eggs, taking her off once daily as usual for the first half of 
 the period, and^during the latter twice, in order to prevent her 
 
Chap. II.] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. S i 
 
 being too much reduced. By this process, skilfully conducted, 
 the rearing of chickens may in some cases be dispensed with ; 
 but it requires some practical knowledge of fowls, and very 
 careful attention to the health, condition, and disposition of 
 each hen, to make it take the place of the natural process, 
 which should be always allowed when possible. 
 
 Another reason in favour of allowing each bird one brood, 
 is that all the feather-legged breeds are somewhat prone after 
 two years to accumulate fat internally. The Brahma is far 
 less liable to this than the Cochin ; but still, in confinement, 
 unless our directions for feeding be attended to, it is apt to 
 occur. In this case, as is truly observed by Mr. Crook, (who- 
 has paid great attention to the subject) "the first parts to 
 suffer are the egg organs. The birds gradually become what 
 is called by poultry-men down behind, and if the tendency is 
 not checked the weight becomes so great that the hen walks 
 about with her hinder parts nearly on the ground, Penguin- 
 fashion, until at last actual rupture of the egg organs takes 
 place." Death may follow or not, according to the violence 
 and extent of the lesion ; but even if it survives the bird is of 
 course valueless for breeding. "Whenever such a prejudicial 
 tendency to fatten is noticed " — ^we again quote Mr. Crook 
 — "the best possible course is to let the hen keep to her 
 nest for at least a month whenever she becomes broody, 
 only feeding her once a day, and taking care that after hatch- 
 ing she does not get much food with her chickens. By this 
 rest of the productive system, combined with abstinence, the 
 parts will often be brought back to their natural condition, and 
 a cure effected." Prevention is however the best remedy, and 
 
52 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. II. 
 
 if the birds are fed as already recommended, such a condition 
 can scarcely occur, as is proved by the fact that in our own 
 experience we have never had a single case. 
 
 Candour also compels us to acknowledge, that Brahma 
 cocks crow very often and very loud ; and this will be a fatal 
 • objection in some cases where the fowl might otherwise be 
 kept with profit. As Burnham says (falsely) of their eating, 
 "they are amazingly fond of crowing, especially a good deal of 
 it;" and this quality does not make the breed the most 
 eligible for a town. We can only say that the crow is at least, 
 in most cases, genuine and clear, not a hoarse guttural growl 
 like the Cochin's; leaving the reader to give the objection just 
 what force he may. 
 
 The chickens, like all other fast growing fowls, have consider- 
 able appetites, though they won't eat " old hats " so far as we 
 have observed. But the adult Brahma does not require a great 
 amount of food, not nearly so much as the Cochin or Cr^ve 
 Coeur, and scarcely so much as the Dorking. We have always 
 found our own birds, when barley was five shilHngs per bushel, 
 and other cereals in proportion, cost us about i4d. per week 
 each, having to purchase every smallest motsel they consumed, 
 and of the best quality, as all poultry food should be. If 
 -there be foraging ground they can be kept for less. Even 
 in the confinement of a town, therefore, the Brahma will 
 yield a good return provided a brood can be allowed to each 
 hen. When thus kept, however, they should be so fed, at only 
 two meals per day, as to be always eager for food, even at the 
 •end of a repast. We have had visitors remark that our birds 
 ■" must be half starving," as they saw the hens fly up a yard in 
 
Chap, n.] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. S3 
 
 the air when their breakfast was taken out to them ; but we 
 have found by experience that this system of keeping them is 
 the best, not only for profit, but for real healthy condition.- 
 In bad or cold weather, a little more should be allowed ; but 
 we lUTL'er allow our own fowls (except by oversight) to eat to 
 repletion. In a confined space such would always destroy the 
 profit of keeping poultry : it causes laziness, where it is more 
 than ever desirable that the greatest possible amount of 
 exercise should be taken. We do not mean of course that the 
 fowl should be really starved, but simply that the supply should 
 always be stopped whilst " on the sharp side of its appetite." 
 On this system the Brahma can be kept in places where no 
 other variety would live six months, and will yield an unfailing 
 supply of fresh eggs when most wanted. 
 
 The farmer should seek to breed his own birds, as he will 
 probably find no exhibition strain, for reasons already stated, 
 which combine the merits of the fowl to nearly so great an 
 extent as may be the case with a little care in breeding to a 
 table standard. Many Brahmas will occur, for instance, with 
 the narrow Cochin breast ; and some may be found which, 
 owing to a cross, have acquired the objectionable yellow skin, 
 and coarse flesh which usually goes therewith. But by selecting 
 stock with good deep breasts, short legs, and white skins, also 
 looking out for a small and pretty head, and by rejecting for a 
 few seasons the most faulty birds in these points, the real 
 merits- of the race will appear. It cannot be too often repeated, 
 that to be a first class table fowl, a fowl mtist be bred for tlie 
 table. The Dorking has long been so bred, and has been 
 judged by size and kindred points, hence the size and 
 
34 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. ii. 
 
 proportions have greatly improved. The French breeds have 
 been matured in a similar way. And we have satisfied our- 
 selves fully, in the course of a careful study of the Brahma, 
 that while owing to these circumstances, there are varieties 
 Avhich, as they stand, somewhat surpass it for table quali- 
 ties, our fowl really possesses higher qualifications in this 
 respect, in proportion to the degree in which they have been 
 cultivated, than any other race known ; and that the most 
 moderate attention from the market breeder would raise it to 
 the very highest place in these special particulars. 
 
 In thus keeping the fowl for market purposes or for home 
 use, a profitable result cannot fail if the preceeding hints be 
 duly attended to, and which may be summed up in a few lines. 
 The breeding stock for the early spring should consist, on one 
 side at least, of birds in their second year ; cockerels mated with 
 pullets not being bred from till after April, and only fine, 
 large-boned, vigorous birds being even then allowed to furnish 
 -eggs for the nest. Care should also be taken that such young 
 birds are then selected as hdidjledged rapidly when chickens, as 
 this point is apt to prove hereditary, and slow fledging is a 
 great drawback to rearing. A pullet's ^frj^ eggs should never be 
 set, and unless she has been laying far into the spring, the 
 pullet herself should be instantly checked the first time she 
 desires to incubate; but however often the tendency be 
 frustrated, each bird should be allowed one brood before June. 
 Finally, at least one half the stock should consist of hens in 
 their second year, from the fact already stated that they lay 
 better at that age than either before or after. The eggs of 
 hens are also of much larger size. 
 
Chap. 11.] The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. 55 
 
 A\Tien kept for ^gs, the stock should be selected in the 
 same way from birds which lay the largest, as they differ 
 greatly in this respect The average size of the eggs is about 
 the same as the Dorking ; but some are no larger than those of 
 Cochins, while on the other hand many birds lay ^gs equal in 
 size to those of the Spanish fowL Over-feeding, which has 
 already been condemned on other grounds, lessens the size of 
 the eggs materially. 
 
 The chickens will do well on good plain food, such as oat- 
 meal for the first week or two, and afterwards sharps mixed 
 with barley meaL They will yield a good return for milk if it 
 can be afforded. The cockerels pay best if killed from three to 
 four months old ; but are splendid fowls up to ten or eleven 
 months, often appearing as large as an average turkey on 
 the table : indeed we prefer them dressed and served up in the 
 same way. The pullets are delicious, being full of delicate 
 white meat on the breast, of better flavor and more juicy 
 than that on the Dorking fowl. The strains with the smallest 
 and handsomest heads are almost always the best in fineness of 
 flesh — ^at least so we iave always found — z. coarse cruel- 
 looking head being generally a sign of the opposite quality. 
 This is singular, as it is often the last sign of a remote Dorking 
 cross; but it corroborates the generally received idea, that 
 while many first crosses are good, subsequent generations as 
 a rule retain more of the defects than the benefits introduced 
 by the experiment 
 
 The first cross of the Brahma with a Dorking cock certainly 
 produces truly magnificent fowls ; the largest, perhaps, that have 
 ever been reared. Chickens thus bred have been shown at six 
 
56 The Brahma as a Stock Fowl. [Chap. II. 
 
 months old which weighed over i8 lbs. the couple. By crossing 
 this mixed race again with the Houdan cock, chickens are 
 obtained which, though less in ultimate weight than the half- 
 bred Dorking, attain a still earlier maturity, and may be killed 
 at ten weeks old of very good size. Both of these crosses are 
 well worth the attention of the farmer or market-breeder ; but 
 their merits should be kept up by continually using the blood 
 of good and pure stocks, or the result, unless great judgment is 
 exercised, will be disappointment and deterioration. 
 
 Lastly, while all Brahma crosses make good layers, the 
 cross between a Brahma hen and a Spanish or Minorca cock 
 produces a fowl, generally black on the body, with dark striped 
 hackle, which for average fecundity surpasses any and every 
 fowl we know. 
 
hDin liitt bf E-CLayars. 
 
 J lavars IittD Biistiii 
 
 DARK BRAHMA COCK 
 
 "CHALLENGER" 
 THE PROPERTY OF KEITH JOPR ESQ. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Characteristics of Dark and Light Brahmas as bred for 
 
 Exhibition. 
 
 AT various times considerable difference of opinion has 
 prevailed as to the correct standard to which the 
 Brahma fowl should be bred, not only in color and leg- 
 feathering, but even in shape ; and on some points we have 
 ourselves seen reason to change opinions we formerly held. 
 In attempting to define, therefore, the proper characteristics 
 of perfect and pure-bred birds, we shall endeavour to indicate, 
 directly or indirectly, where there is room for diversity of 
 judgment ; to give due weight to opinions that do not 
 precisely coincide with our own; and, so far as our ability 
 extends, to afford such information as may assist those who 
 differ from us, while giving what we think solid reasons fdi; 
 our own views. 
 
 With regard to Such disputed points, there is one general 
 remark to make Every breeder should by all means make 
 himself acquainted with the propei" characteristics of his 
 favorite fowl, aiid have in his mind a definite idea as to the 
 standard of perfection after which he aims. If such ideas 
 have been formed intelligently, and on good grounds, they 
 should not be lightly given up for the fashion of the hour, 
 which can qfteii hot be depended upon longer than that of a 
 lad/s, bonnet. It will often be better, and in the ehd even 
 
58 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 fay better, to sacrifice some prizes for a year or two, than to 
 "give in" to the present fancies of second-rate judges, and 
 degrade a stock in order to meet them. He is no true 
 fancier — he is altogether unworthy the name — who merely 
 seeks to win prizes : still less is he one whose only object 
 is "to have the best stock in England, and beat every 
 one else," as is the case with those who "decline to sell 
 eggs at any price" — a miserable spirit and a miserable 
 ambition this. For far higher ends do the. real brethren 
 of the craft breed and show their fowls. They believe 
 that the feathered objects of their interest are calculated 
 to render important service to their country ; that poultry 
 is an important link in God's grand economy of nature,, 
 and destined to play no small part in that great "food 
 question" which is ever pressing more deeply on the minds 
 of those who study the social welfare of man ; and they 
 patiently work and study, each in his degree, so to improve 
 and maintain their favorite breeds as may make them better- 
 adapted to serve mankind, while at the same time their ex- 
 ceeding beauty shall be so increased as to render them still 
 more attractive in the eyes of that softer sex to whose care 
 and supervision they are so particularly adapted. One who- 
 works with such objects — and many do — ^will always be 
 unselfish. When a brother fancier shows at last a better pen 
 than his own, he will rejoice that a step has been gained ; and 
 whatever knowledge he may have acquired will be cheerfully 
 and readily communicated. A real fancier is a true patriot ;. 
 and if Jonas Webb is remembered and extolled for having 
 improved the wool and increased the carcase of the shepp to- 
 
Chap, in.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 59 
 
 which he devoted such attention, men like John Douglas, 
 who raised the standard weight of the Dorking fowl several 
 pounds over what was known before, or Mr. Hewitt, who 
 has devoted years of his life gratuitously to aiding, by 
 his vast experience and knowledge in awarding prizes, the 
 general improvement of poultry, have also deserved well 
 of their country, and done good work for their day and 
 generation. 
 
 To breed to a really faulty standard, therefore, against the 
 better judgment, is to give up all this for the sake of gain ; 
 and in the end no advantage will accrue, as the error usually 
 cures itself within a short time, and then those who have 
 pandered to it will have some trouble in recovering their lost 
 ground. There was a remarkable example of this in the case 
 of our Brahma fowl. A few years since, dread of the vulture 
 hock was carried to such an absurd extent, that almost 
 bare legs became the fashion, and well-feathered shanks could 
 scarcely win, except before one or two of the .best judges. 
 Nearly all were carried away by the stream ; so much so that 
 we ourselves, beginning to breed at that time, could not get 
 darkly pencilled birds even moderately feathered at any 
 price. But it did not last. After a season or two the tide 
 turned ; those who had given way to it had to get back the 
 lost feather as best they could ; and we are sorry to say that 
 many of them did not scruple to breed hocked birds, and show 
 them with the hocks plucked, in order to wrest the prizes from 
 those who had bred fairly, and were not willing to use such 
 means of gaining exhibition honors. 
 
 But on the other hand, it should not be forgotten^ that such 
 
6o Exhibition Characteristics of fChap. III. 
 
 fixed ideas as we have been advocating may be carried too 
 far. We have said they should not be lightly giveri up for 
 the fashion of the hour : but there is such a thing possible 
 as riding a hopeless tilt against the collective judgment 
 of all else beside. This can never succeed, ^nd is to be 
 avoided : as in most things, so in this, the middle path is 
 the safe one. If for years the opinion of breedeirs, and of 
 the best judges, sets evidently in one direction, it is seldom 
 wise to attempt to resist it, as has been the case with several 
 individuals we could mention. Except there be very strong 
 reason for it, such a course will at length degenerate into 
 mere ignorant obstinacy, and can only result in continuous 
 defeat. We value our own opinion, and we would have every 
 one else to value his ; but the opinions of others, when time 
 has been given to test them, niust in all cases be treated with 
 respect ; and in most instances, when they do really appear 
 to be mistaken, they can be, if not too recklessly opposed, 
 so modified as not to be injurious. 
 
 In shape, style,- artd tafriag^i the Dark and Light varieties 
 of the Brdhma should be precisely similar. Some few yfears 
 since the Light variety had degenerated greatly in these 
 particulars, owing in Our opinion to the comparatively few 
 who bred it in corftparison witli the Dark ; but of lafe 
 magnificent specimens have been shown, and Light BrahmaS 
 now bid fair to rival the Dark, not only in size and shape, 
 but in general popularity. The following remarks with 
 regard to shape will therefore apply to both breeds. 
 
 The head of the cock cannot be too small in proportion' tO 
 the body. Scarcely a point is of so great a value as a sig'n of 
 
Chap. III.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 6l 
 
 high breeding; and as we have before remarked, we have 
 also found that as a genei-al rule a small head is accompanied 
 by fineness of flesh, which in a breed like the one in question 
 is ^ point never to be lost sight of. The >top of the head 
 should be rather wide, causing a slight fulness over the eye, 
 wljidi in the pullets causes that peculiarly arch expression 
 for which they are remarkable, and which the cock should 
 partake of to as great a degree as possible. The eyebrows 
 mvist on no account, however, be so prominent as to cause 
 a cruel or Malay expression. The whole head should be 
 rather short, a long head looking bad, and disfiguring many 
 of the present Amercian birds. 
 
 The pea-comb is peculiar, but is simply described as 
 resembling three small combs joined into one, the centre 
 one being higher than the two outside. It is very difficult — 
 in the cock especially — to get this point into. perfection until 
 a strain has been bred for years. No pure strain indeed 
 ought to breed a solitary comb in which the peculiar triple 
 character is not perfectly distinct ; but there is a constant 
 tendency to grow too large, or crooked, or otherwise mis^ 
 shapen, which requires to be guarded against like any other 
 fawit, if even tolerable symmetry be desired. We remember 
 oojce seeing a cup cockerel, in which the triple character- of 
 the comb was just discernible, the member resembling an 
 alpj^Qst shapeless mass of red putty, the size of a maderale 
 egg, and hanging considerably over on one side. We would 
 ngyer, as our previous remarks have shown, press a merely 
 fapcy point too far; but considering how highly typical the 
 pea-comb is in this breed, we would never breed from such 
 
62 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 a bird, and would hesitate much to award a first prizfe to 
 one, though combs far short of perfection must often be 
 tolerated for the sake of more important points. 
 
 In a perfect comb the centre ridge^should be absolutely 
 straight, and the whole so low as to be perfectly firm and 
 free from shaking, however quickly the bird moves his head. 
 We would prefer half-an-inch in height, but even three- 
 quarters, if straight and well-shaped, makes a beautiful comb : 
 above that we should say there was a tendency to getting too 
 large. With regard to the shape of the comb opinions differ. 
 Some prefer a uniform rise from the front towards the back, 
 ending in a peak something like that of the Hamburgh, 
 though not so sharp or defined ; and this is the original and 
 present American type. But we like far better to see the 
 comb, after rising for half or two-thirds of its length, decrease 
 again towards the back, thus forming a kind of arch ; and 
 this form of comb not only, as we think, looks better to the 
 eye, but is far more likely according to our experience to 
 breed well than the other, which has a tendency to grow 
 larger each successive generation. 
 
 In our first chapter we have explained that the original 
 Brahmas bred both single and pea combs. Dr. Gwynne and 
 some others perpetuated the single comb, but the pea-comb 
 soon became the favorite, and was easiest bred, proving it to 
 be the most natural to the breed. Since then the single comb 
 has all but disappeared, and never in any class now receives 
 prizes at shows ; but there were till very lately some splendid 
 yards of single-combed Light Brahmas in existence ; and the 
 Messrs. Ede, of Worthing, in particular, were celebrated for 
 
Chap. IIL] Dark and Light Brahmas. 63 
 
 a magnificent strain of single-combed birds, which we think 
 would run some of the present exhibitors a close race for 
 prizes. 
 
 The comb should be handsomely set above neat and 
 cleanly cut nostrils, the beak being rather short, thick at 
 the base, and with a rather decided curve : but too much 
 curvature, or what is termed a hawk-bill, is a great blemish, 
 giving a sinister aspect to the bird. 
 
 In all the original Brahmas the deaf ears fell below the 
 ■vvattles — and this point was even mentioned by Dr. Bennett 
 as a characteristic of the breed. It is often seen so still, and 
 its perpetuation should be carefully sought as far as possible ; 
 but a prominent place cannot of course be given to so 
 secondary a character. 
 
 Just below the head, the neck hackle should start well out 
 with a full sweep, making the point of junction between the 
 head and neck very distinct by an apparent hollow or 
 depression. The hackle can hardly be too full in our opinion, 
 and should descend low enough to flow well over the back 
 and shoulders. Perfection in this particular adds very greatly 
 to the noble carriage and appearcmce of the bird, while a 
 scanty or too short hackle is a decided fault, though it may 
 be occasionally condoned for the sake of other points. 
 
 The proper length of neck in a Brahma cock is a little 
 disputed. The Standard of Excellence says it should be long, 
 whilst Mr. Boyle, for several years the most successful 
 exhibitor in England,* says that it should be "rather short" 
 
 * See Ms description of the Dark Brahma in "The Practical Poultry Keeper," 
 page 108. 
 
64 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. IIL 
 
 The latter definition harmonizes best with the present usual 
 type of bird, and in most cases accordingly looks b£st ; but 
 it does not therefore follow that Mr. Teebay (who drew up 
 the definitions in tihe Standard) is wrong ; the fact being that 
 since his time the style of the fowl has been altered, rather 
 considerably to. a discerning eye, and tending much more to 
 the shape of the Cochin, especially in the more horizontal 
 position of the tail. In such birds a short neck looks best ; 
 and we always thought the Standard wrong until we had an 
 opportunity of seeing a Brahma cock of the true old type, 
 with the nearly upright and "black-cock" tail once so 
 eommon, but now rarely seen. Since then we have agreed 
 with the Standard, and regard a rather long neck, if well 
 arched and with full hackle, and joined with the old propor- 
 tions and shape of tail, as making a far nobler-looking bird. 
 Such cocks are now rarely met with — indeed, were it not 
 for the effojts of Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Teebay, who haye 
 striven almost single-handed to maintain by their decisions, 
 we might almost say to restore, the true characteristics of the 
 breed, we believe they would haye been irrecoverably lost, s,o 
 jTooted has beea the desire of most breeders to produce birds 
 as much like a Cochin as possible^— but when once seen their 
 lofty stature and bearing is a thing to be remembered. With 
 regard to this matter, therefore, as things are a shoit neck is 
 pften to be preferred, especially for exhibition ; but if the 
 breeder seeks the older and more genuine type, and succeeds 
 in obtaining it, a bird with the longer neck described by Mr. 
 Teebay will be in his eyes of greater real value, though he 
 may not so often win. 
 
Chap. III.] Dark and Light Brahma?. 65 
 
 The back shotulid be wide, and flat across, with scarcely any 
 apparent length, the sacldle appearing to rise almost from the 
 base of the hackle. A round back is a great deformity, and 
 a very narrow bird is not to be tolerated in a pen. The 
 saddle cannot be too broad, and ought to rise well towards 
 the tail; yirithout this there cannot be true symmetry and 
 proportion. Periiaps no point in the shape of the cock has 
 been so deteriorated of late years, many cocks being shown 
 with narrow saddles quite destitute of rise, but forming a 
 rather sharp angle with the tail. We have also seen cocks 
 with the back and saddle sloping down towards the tail,, 
 which looks particularly bad, being contrary to the haughty 
 carriage so conspicuous in this breed. The lowest part 
 should be in the middle therefore, with the saddle and rump 
 carried well up to balance the base of the neck. The longer 
 the saddle feathers are the better. 
 
 The tail of the Brahma cock originally was very peculiar, 
 but it is now become exceedingly rare to see it approaching" 
 perfection. Most breeders appear to aim at the horizontal 
 soft tail of the Cochin, with which the short neck (as already 
 observed) has become associated, and the appearance of the 
 fowl thus greatly altered from what it originally was. Such 
 tails are therefore admissible enough for exhibition, and it 
 even remains to be seen whether the true Brahma tail can 
 be restored; so that meanwhile the fancier must breed and 
 show the best he can get according to his own ideas. The 
 great difficulty of getting back the old type may be imagined- 
 £rom tihe fact that we have in our possession a letter from a 
 well known Birmingham winner, stating that he thought such- 
 
■66 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 tails exceedingly ugly, and "never bred from such a bird!" 
 We still, however, see rare specimens ; and if Mr. Hewitt and 
 Mr. Teebay should be spared to act as arbitrators, we do not 
 yet despair of having the noble Brahma cocks once seen 
 again worthily represented at our shows. 
 
 The proper and characteristic tail has been variously 
 <iescribed, but most usually it is stated that "the sickles 
 •should open out into a fan." Sometimes it is said that the 
 whole tail should thus open, and the usual standard of 
 ■comparison has been the tail of the black cock. By the 
 kindness of Mr. Teebay, however, we are able to give a clear 
 description of the caudal appendage as it used to be, and 
 -which we must regard as the perfect standard or type, how- 
 ever we may fail to approach it now. " The true inside tail," 
 he says, " I like closed, except the two highest feathers 
 (sometimes four used to be so). These should be very broad, 
 and lay nearly or quite flat, not too long, and the ends 
 turning outwards each way, and projecting on each side 
 through the curved or sickle feathers. Such feathers are 
 never seen except in tails set much more upright than most 
 exhibited now. They were very subject to be broken in the 
 ^exhibition baskets or pens, on account of their projecting 
 through the other feathers. The whole inside tail spreading 
 /out, as was .also often seen, I do not like. I have frequently 
 noticed the feathers crossing in the lower part and re-crossing 
 again higher up, as in the sketch. When there are two pairs 
 the higher pair is generally rather smaller, and they do not 
 actually cross, though ,there is always a similar peculiar bend, 
 which is I believe caused by their being set into the rump so 
 
Chap, m.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 69 
 
 near to each other, and growii^ t<^ether whilst the young 
 quill is hardening." 
 
 We add a drawing of these black-cock feathers, from a 
 sketch and actual specimens kindly sent us by the same 
 eminent judge and breeder, and which once belonged to some 
 of his old birds. If the drawing be raised till nearly upright, 
 what is meant will be readily seen ; and the resemblance to 
 the tail of the black-cock will appear far more striking than if 
 the whole tail be opened out like a fan. Indeed, the heads of 
 the pullets, the character of their pencilling, and the tail 
 of the cock, with the feathered shanks of both sexes, present 
 a cumulative amount of resemblance to the grouse, which 
 furnishes one of the most singular examples of what Mr. 
 Darwin calls "analogous variation" in widely different species, 
 known to us throughout the whole range of natural history. 
 
 The breast ought to be deep, full, and broad, if rather 
 projecting so much the better. The breast-bone or keel 
 should be deep and well down between the thighs. The 
 shoulders of the wings should not be too sharp and prominent, 
 but sufficiently so to make the back^ when the bird stoops, a 
 little hollow from shoulder to shoulder, and ^ve a handsome 
 proportion. The wii^ should be of medium size, and well 
 tucked up under the saddle feathers, their points pressing 
 tightly into the fluff on the thighs. If the cock is thus perfect 
 in his '■ side-rising," the eflfeet— in spite of his size — ^will be 
 particularly neat and trim. A slipped or disordered wing is 
 a very great blemish, and tells greatly against a bird, however 
 perfect in other respects. 
 
 The thighs should be furnished with an ample supply of 
 
yo Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 the plumage so well described as "fluff," but somewhat 
 harder and more compact than in the Cochin. The lower 
 feathers should in our opinion cover the hock joint, but 
 curling well round it. Some breeders seem still to prefer the 
 bare hock, or anything rather than get an occasional falcon 
 hock: but general opinion is now returned to the former 
 dictum, that the hocks of feathered fowls should be well 
 covered with soft curling feathers. Falcon hocks are to our 
 fancy a great eyesore; but only stiff feathers, projecting so 
 as to form a prominent spur upon the limb, are to be 
 so regarded ; and we would rather that even this should 
 be permitted, than the disgraceful practice of fraudulent 
 plucking, which we regret to observe has lately been practised 
 by even eminent breeders, should become more general. 
 
 The shanks ought to be short and as well feathered as 
 possible, so the bird be bred honestly without showing vulture 
 hock. Both the outer and middle toes should be feathered ; 
 but sometimes very heavily feathered birds have the middle 
 toe bare, and are not therefore to be discarded. We have 
 also frequently seen the inner and back toes feathered, but 
 very seldom unless the bird was hocked.* The shank 
 feathers should stand out as much as possible ; for if the 
 direction of them fee perpendicular they do not "t.ell" 
 properly, and the shank near the hock looks much more 
 scantily furnished than at the feet, which has a bad effect 
 
 * The only exception we ever knew was in the case of a bird we bred ouiselves 
 this season, now belonging to a friend in Scotland. This cockerel had both inner 
 toes heavily feathered, but was perfectly free from hock, and won the first prize 
 at the Highland Society's Show (in 1869). 
 
Chap. IIL] Dark and Light Bralimas. 71 
 
 We used to think a Brahma cock could not be too short on 
 the 1^ : but we did once see a bird which we thought was- 
 so, and looked positively awkward. It will be very hard, 
 however, to fail in this respect ; and all approach to legginess 
 is a blemish, though not so much so as in the hen, or so 
 important Le^y birds often win if very superior in other 
 points, but should be within the bounds of tolerable symmetry 
 to do so. The thicker the shanks are the better, smjdL 
 shanked cocks rarely breeding large birds. Long legs are 
 frequently associated with too long a back and other defects 
 in shape. 
 
 The shape and carriage of the hen should correspond with 
 that of the cock, allowing for the difference of sex. Her head 
 should in particulcir be as small as possible, this point being, 
 of much greater moment in her case, with the same slight 
 fulness over the eye, giving to the face an expression we 
 can only describe as " arch," but at the same time peculiarly 
 sweet and gentle. We like the head short and well arched ;. 
 in fact, as already said, almost exactly that of a grouse, with 
 the beak also rather short and curved, but not too much so. 
 The neck in her case short, and with the hackle spreading out 
 very full at the base, and flowing well over the back and 
 shoulders. The back flat, wide and short, as in the cock,, 
 with a very broad and ample cushion resembling somewhat 
 that of the Cochin. There is however this difference, which 
 is characteristic, that whereas the cushion of the Cochin 
 rather droops at the extreme end, burjdng the tail, the 
 cushion of the Brahma rises to the last, the short tail rising 
 nearly upright out of the end, so that the lower feathers oi 
 
/2 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 the tail are further behind than the upper. Many of the 
 pullets lately shown have been nearly destitute of cushion, 
 and narrow in the stern almost like a Spanish hen : these 
 birds have, often won from the excellence of their pencilling, 
 but we cannot consider them good Brahmas. The shoulders 
 should not be too sharp, but very neat ; and the wings 
 tightly held to the body, and well tucked into and nearly 
 buried in the cushion above and the fluff of the thighs below. 
 A "slab-sided" bird is not to be tolerated. Breast as broad, 
 deep, and full as possible, with the crop low down, and the 
 breast bone well down between the thighs. The fluff ought 
 to be very abundant and stand well out, covering the hock 
 precisely as in the cock. A Brahma hen must be short 
 on the leg : legginess may occasionally be tolerated in an 
 otherwise good cockerel ; but a leggy hen is of little value 
 either for show or for the breeding yard. In both sexes the 
 shanks should stand as wide apart as possible, any approach 
 to knock-knees being instantly disqualified ; and the feet 
 should be rather large, with straight well-spread toes. 
 
 In concluding this description of the general points of all 
 Brahmas, it only remains to add that size is a very important 
 matter. Mr. Tegetmeier was the first to point out that this 
 fowl could be bred larger than any other ; and so valuable a 
 characteristic should never be overlooked. It may be said 
 that the most judicious feeding is necessary to attain such a 
 size as is occasionally seen, and this is true ; but it will be 
 found that no feeding will bring up other fowls to the same 
 standard, and therefore, while medium sized birds are more 
 ; often seen, and are to be preferred if superior in symmetry 
 
Drawn "hy^ CLavars. 
 
 J Lavdi s. uiliii hr.sLQ! 
 
 LIGHT BRAHMA COCK, 
 
 "S A M P S O N" 
 BRED &. EXHIBITED BY J. -PARES, E-'^ 
 
Chap. III.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 73 
 
 and color, size ought always to be greatly valued. We should 
 not call any cock first-rate, which when full grown and in 
 show condition did not weigh 12 lbs., and hens 8 or 9 lbs., 
 while pullets ought to weigh i lb. per month up to ^ months, 
 and if well fed are often more. If a cockerel does not weigh 
 8 lbs. at six months old he will rarely make a fine bird. 
 
 We have now to describe the distinctive markings of the 
 separate varieties ; and in regard to the Light, which we shall 
 take first as that first seen in this country, we have to 
 acknowledge the kind assistance of both Mr. Pares and Mr. 
 Crook, well known for their success as breeders and exhibitors 
 of this beautiful fowl, and who have most cheerfully -placed 
 their knowledge and experience at our disposal. 
 
 The head of the Light cock should be white, the hackle 
 silvery white, with a distinct black stripe down the centre of 
 each feather. The shoulder-coverts, back, breast, thighs, and 
 underparts white on the surface, but the fluiif or underpart of 
 the plumage dull grey down to the skin. The secondaries or 
 outside wing feathers white on outer web, and black on inner 
 web, causing the wing to appear pure white when folded : the 
 primaries or flights black. The saddle feathers may be either 
 white, or (and this is much to be preferred) white lightly 
 striped with black. Tail coverts glossy green black, those 
 next the saddle being silvered on the edges. Tail rich glossy 
 green black : if the two top feathers be edged with silver it 
 should be preferred as a characteristic point already referred 
 to : but this is now so rare that it cannot be insisted on. The 
 shape of the tail is already described ; in default of that con- 
 formation, what would be sickles in another breed should 
 
f^ Exhibition Characteristics of [Cfeapv IIL 
 
 diverge laterally like the tail of the black-cock ; but in either 
 .case it should be nearly upright, and the tail of the Cochin t$ 
 sot to be sought after. Shanks firi^Ai yellow, the feathering 
 white slightly mottled with black. Perfectly white shank 
 feathering is if possible to be avoided. 
 
 Our illustration, by Mr, Pares' kindness, is drawn from a 
 photograph of one of the most extraordinary birds ever 
 shown,* and in all but one point is a faithful likeness : 
 " Sampson " was in our opinion certainly much too light in 
 the hackle, and we have therefore darkened the stripes, which 
 in him were barely perceptible, to what should be considered 
 a correct standard. The saddle we have not altered, as g. 
 white saddle has already been explained to be quite admjei- 
 sible. In style and symmetry the bird was a niofjel.; and his 
 
 *Th^ career of this bird is woftji remark. Br?d in the spring of l8§3, he 
 commenced his career in 1864 with a commendation at Brighton (all the prizes 
 going to dark birds in a mixed class on that occasion). He took first prize at 
 Manchester tlje same year, and in 1865 won the first prize at Woodbridge, W^n- 
 ,cli,ester, and Birmingham ; besides second at Brentwood, and higli commepdations 
 at two other shows — in all three cases against dark Brahmas. In 1 865 he won the 
 first prize at the Poultry Club's Show at Rochdale, and throughoHt the year took 
 ^rst at Woodbridge, Salisbury, Reading, Cirencester, and Shorebam (against 
 eighteen entries), winding up by taking first for the second time at Birmingham, 
 when he won the most valuable silver cup given at that show. He was entered 
 the same month for Manchester, where he would doubtless have taken his old 
 plsice, as he h?,d just beate^i Ijie ?i?tijia,l wwpfiir a,t Birniingham ; but on the way 
 to the show ^ dog gna-jved a tole in the basket and worried him to death, at the 
 age of 3i years. It must be remembered that in his time breeders of Light 
 Brahmas were few, and separate classes for them at shows also far between, 
 SP that the bjjrd had npt the same chance? of winning he would h^ve had now. 
 He was never onc;e beatfn by a \i\xi of his own color ; and though jn our opiniop, 
 as we have said, too light iu the hackle, was in all else an almost perfect model of 
 what 9- Br^ljBi?. shtjuld be. 
 
Chap. III.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 75 
 
 noble carriage will not soon be forgotten by those who knew 
 hitn before the fatal accident which terminated his existence. 
 
 The hen should have a pure white head, the bright red of 
 comb, deaf ears, and wattles contrasting very distinctly : 
 hence good condition is specially important in showing this 
 breed. The neck clear white, distinctly and darkly striped 
 down each feather, the black stripes ending clear and round at 
 base of neck, so as to form a kind of dark ring. Breast, 
 back, saddle, and in fact the whole body a clear white surface, 
 with an under ground-color of grey. In the hen the primary 
 or flight feathers alone are usually black. Tail coverts white ; 
 the tail itself black, except the two top feathers, which should 
 if possible show the characteristic white edges alluded to in 
 Chapter I., bqt this point cannot be insisted on. Legs 
 bright yellow; the feathering white, very slightly mottled 
 with black. 
 
 Our illustration is a faithful representation of the best hen 
 we ever saw : she was also one of the largest, weighing very 
 nearly 12 lbs. It is within our own knowledge that Mr. Crook 
 refused ;£'20 for this bird ; and one of equal merit would 
 realize that sum at almost any time. Her beautiful cushion 
 and ample fluff were things to be remembered : yet there 
 was not a trace of the Cochin formation so often seen in 
 so-=called Light Brahmas. 
 
 In both sexes of this variety, any decided tendency to 
 yellow is a great defect. It exists naturally in some strains, 
 and is different from the sun-burn which in long sultry 
 seasons will sometimes occur even in good white birds. 
 Pullets are also liable to occur with splashed or spotted 
 
^6 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 plumage, instead of clear white : such are very inferior, and 
 if the black is of any considerable amount it should be a 
 disqualification. 
 
 The head and neck of a Dark Brahma cock are very similar 
 to the Light, the head being white and the hackle striped, but 
 somewhat more so than in the light breed. The back is 
 nearly white, a little black appearing here and there, while 
 between the shoulders the black ought tjo predominate, but is 
 nearly hidden by the hackle flowing over it. The saddle' 
 feathers are like the hackle, silvery white, striped with black. 
 Many breeders prefer only a little stripe in the hackle and 
 saddle feathers, and such are the most showy birds for exhi- 
 bition, while they will often breed good pullets if other 
 points are correct : but on the whole we greatly prefer a 
 good distinct dark stripe in every feather. As the feathers 
 approach the tail the stripes get broader, till they merge into 
 the tail coverts, which are rich glossy green-black with a 
 margin or lacing of white. The effect of this is very beautiful, 
 while a " mossy " appearance of the coverts is not only 
 unpleasant to the eye, but is inferior for breeding pullets. 
 The tail itself is pure rich black with a green gloss, any white 
 being a great blemish. This fault is hereditary in some 
 otherwise good strains, and is we believe caused by a remote 
 cross with the Dorking ; for we never had it in our own yard, 
 and every pen in which we have observed it has been from 
 yards which we have known either to have had Dorking 
 taint themselves,, or to have obtained stock from other yards 
 which had. This remark will not apply to the white margin 
 or edge which we have several times noted as occasionally 
 
Chap-iiL] Dark and Light Brahmas. J7 
 
 still occurring in the two upper feathers of the cock's tail 
 We have never seen this except in the two cockerels referred 
 to in our first chapter, and another we bred this season ; but 
 doubtless other breeders meet with it occasionally, and we 
 should consider it rather a beauty than a defect if it could 
 be perpetuated, provided the white lacing be narrow and 
 even, and the rest of the feather pure black. 
 
 Sometimes, instead of a green lustre to the black of the 
 cock's wings and tail, the feathers ^avr purple reflections. As 
 a rule such birds breed beautiful dark pullets, and the purple 
 shade is not to be considered a fault 
 
 The wing coverts are black, forming a distinct black bar 
 across the middle of the wing, while the ends of the 
 secondaries, oY the feathers which appear when the wing is 
 closed, have a large black spot on the end, making the top 
 edge of the wing also appear black. The remainder of the 
 secondaries are white on the lower half and black on the 
 upper, but the black of course is not seen. The flights are 
 all black except a narrow fringe of white on the lower edge. 
 There is generally a little brown or bronze towards the top of 
 the "bar," and at the end of the secondaries. As hereafter 
 explained, this is almost essential to breeding dark pullets, 
 and if not too plentiful is not to be considered a defect^ 
 but if very conspicuous is almost a disqualiflcatipn. There 
 is also often a portion of brown on the shoulders and back : 
 in such positions the color should be condemned, being both 
 unsightly and objectionable for bi-eeding. 
 
 The breast may be either black, or black very slightly 
 and evenly mottled with white. The thighs and fluflf either 
 
78 Exhibition Characteristics of [ Chap. lit 
 
 black, or black very lightly tipped or laced with white. The 
 shank feathering either black, or mottled black and white. 
 
 Our illustration is drawn from a bird which was bred by 
 Mr. Boyle, and previously to his passing into the possession of 
 Mr. Jopp won numerous cups and prizes. His square and 
 massive build were remarkable, and he had a good up- 
 standing spreading tail, though he did not possess the peculiar 
 grouse-feathers. He was, as will be seen, of the short-necked 
 class, and may be considered an almost perfect type of the 
 more modern Brahma. 
 
 The color of the hen has given rise to more discussion and 
 dispute than any other point connected with Brahmas, and 
 there are in fact several distinct schools, each having its 
 devoted adherents. Mr. Boyle describes it in The Practical 
 Poultry Keeper as "a dingy white ground, very much and 
 closely pencilled with dark steel grey." The effect of this 
 when perfect is very beautiful, giving the appearance of a 
 frosted or silver grey ; but there should be no appearance of 
 actual white in the plumage, except perhaps where the 
 pencilling is least thick on the breasfc Such pullets are in 
 perfection at about seven months old ; bat when the sun 
 begins to get strong the next season they nearly always 
 acquire a very unpleasant dingy or brown color, which we 
 much dislike. The hens also retain the dingy color, except 
 for a week or two after moulting ; but we have seen a few 
 birds which retained their clear color to the last, proving that 
 were more care taken in breeding the objectionable tint might 
 be entirely got rid of 
 
 A more serious fault of the silver grey strains, in our 
 
Chap. UL] Dark and Light- Bftihmas. 79 
 
 opinion, is the tendency to breed pullets with white headSk 
 Such pullets are often white almost half way down the neckj 
 and the remainder is very frequently cloudy or uncertain in 
 color, instead of the rich broad black stripe which looks so 
 wefl. These light-headed birds generally breed worse sad 
 worse, but not unfrequently take prizes through the ignorance 
 of second-rate judges^ 
 
 Mr. Lacy, on the otiier hand, who was formerly a very 
 successful exhibitor, prefers a decided brown color fof tiifc 
 hens. He describes the birds with which he commenced 
 breedir^* as "a beautiful pencilled brown, the ground color 
 being the dark, with lighter markings of a quarter-moon 
 shape on each feather : breast a light salmon-colored ground, 
 with dark pencillings of the same quarter-moon shap^ fbrm- 
 ii^ the most beautiful contrast of the two colors imaginabta 
 The fluff had also the brown tinge.'' The reasons he g^vra- 
 for preferring this tint are, that fifteen years ago, in America^ 
 llie finest birds he could procure were so marked; and that 
 it breeds much truer to color, not cha^^g with age like the 
 grey variety. He also found that the silver-grey birds were 
 very likely to breed pullets light on the breast ; from whwiofe 
 he concludes that they were originated by crossing what he 
 considers the original brown strain With l%hter birds. It is 
 certainly true that Mght-^breasted pullets oft«n occur in silver- 
 grey strains; but it is not therefore needful to suppose a 
 cross, as red or brown birds always breed truer than any 
 other color on account of the resemblance to the wild original 
 
 •Practical Poultry Keeper, page 112. 
 
8o Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 of all our breeds: moreover, with proper care in choosing, 
 breeding stock, dark-breasted silver-grey pullets can be bred 
 with ease. Hence, after all, the color is almost entirely a 
 matter of preference. 
 
 There is a third color, which used to be shown by Mr. 
 Teebay, but was for a time almost lost, through the endea- 
 vours of breeders to produce cocks entirely free from bronze 
 in the wings. We prefer it to any other, and have always 
 striven to produce and preserve it in our own yard. It 
 differs greatly from both the silver grey and the dead brown 
 color, being darker than either ; and it has the great merit of 
 never getting dingy upon a grass run, whatever the age of. 
 the bird, except in case of great exposure to the sun previous 
 to moulting, when for a few months no fowls ever look very 
 fresh. We are convinced this beautiful color only needs to 
 be better known to be preferred to any other for Dark 
 Brahmas ; but it requires great judgment in the selection of 
 breeding stock to produce it, or instead of good pencilling 
 the result is apt to be dark blotches, which look very bad. 
 In this color, the ground itself is a dark steel grey, and the 
 pencillings or markings a rich black, so intense as to show 
 green reflections like the tails of the cocks. This is the color 
 of the pullets ; and the hens either preserve it, or more 
 commonly show a very slight cast of rich chesnut in the 
 ground color, not the least dingy, while the pencillings moult 
 black to the last. It is the intense depth ih color of the 
 pencilling which gives the rich appearance of the whole, 
 distinguishing it alike from both those already described. 
 
 There are also differences in the shape and character of 
 
s^^^ 
 
 Frnm lift oy i Clavaxs 
 
 J lavais lithD Bnatni 
 
 DARK BRAHMA HEN 
 
 "JUNO" . 
 THE PROPERTY OF M" L VVRiGH' 
 
Chap. III.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 8i 
 
 the pencillings. Some breeders aim at rather large sharp 
 markings, somewhat resembling those of the Hamburgh; 
 while others prefer the pencillings as minute as possible, even 
 so small as to be almost indistinguishable. This last does- 
 not look well, giving a heavy and dull appearance to the 
 plumage; but we like a rather "small pattern" much the 
 best, as it appears not only neater, but more aristocratic 
 and high bred. 
 
 Between these all shades of color and marking may occur, 
 and often patches of the different schools will be found 
 in the same bird, arising from sudden crosses between different 
 strains. This we especially dislike : we would never condemn 
 a pullet because bred to another color than what we prefer ; 
 but we do like any color or marking, whatever it is, to be- 
 pure and genuine, and a bird distinguished by much broken 
 color or unevenness of marking ought never to win in a good 
 class. 
 
 The very shape of the pencillings also varies, being in some 
 strains almost straight across the feather, whilst in others they 
 follow the outline and partake of the character of lacings, 
 one within the other, as on the breast. In. this point too we 
 think a somewhat medium character the best looking, the 
 pencillings being moderately curved, but not to too great a 
 degree. On the breast they are fully curved or laced in all 
 strains. But whatever shape, color, or character the pencilling 
 assumes, precision is of great importance, obscure or irregular 
 markings being very inferior in effect. By the kindness of 
 the publishers of The Practical Poultry-Keeper we are 
 enabled to reproduce drawings of actual feathers taken from 
 
S2 
 
 Exhibition Characteristics of 
 
 [Ch&p. III. 
 
 some very perfect cup birds, which give a good idea of 
 average Brahma pencilling ; but considerable variation from 
 this type is quite admissible provided the f)Iumage be uniform, 
 and pure according to its own standard. 
 
 
 Fig. 4. 
 Centre of the breast. 
 
 Pig. S- 
 Plat of the wing. 
 
 mg. 6. 
 
 Coverts of the tail. 
 
 The head of the pullet or hen is silvery white Striped with 
 black. Lower down' the neck the stripes get broader, till at 
 the bottom they are very broad, nearly covering the feathef, 
 and ending in blunt or rounded points. The rest of the 
 plumage should be pencilled, according to One or the othef 
 of the standards above described, the pencilling especially 
 reaching up to the throat, and one of the chief points in a 
 show bird being that the character and depth of marking on 
 the breast appro^iches that of the rest of the body as nearly 
 
Owp. III.] Dark and Light Brahmas. i^ 
 
 as possible. The tail feathers alone are black, except the top 
 ones, which are pencilled on the edge. The shank feathering 
 of the hen oitg'At to be perfectly pencilled as on the body ; 
 but this is not by any means universal, and in a fine bird we 
 would not insist upon it, though it is desirable. 
 
 Our illustration is taken from one of the best hens we ever 
 had. She was not remarkably large, weighing only a little 
 over 8 lbs., but was much too good to show, being of beautiful 
 shape, and singularly free from brown. Her color was midway 
 between the dark tint we admire, and the silver grey ; and the 
 markings on the breast could hardly be distinguished from 
 those on her cushion. We picked her up at a farm, and could 
 never trace her pedigree satisfactorily, but believe her to have 
 been from the strain of Colonel Lane. 
 
 Such are the colors of Brahmas as now exhibited, and birds 
 "which do not come Under the distinct heads of Dark or Light 
 ■would have no chance in the show pen whatever. But it will 
 not have been fot^otten that the first pair of birds were grgj^ : 
 and while we see and feel the great beauty of the two classes 
 into which they So soon merged. We haVe always r^rett6d 
 that the true old grey Brahma should have no recognized 
 standing. The color was not uniform, being usually more or 
 less of a grey speckle over a white ground, but was almost 
 always beautiful, as any who have seen some of Miss Watts' 
 grey birds will admit. This lady is the only one, so far as we 
 know, that maintains the old grey stock ; but if a class should 
 «ver be given to them we are convinced, that while they will 
 never supersede the Light or Dark, they Would rival the 
 popularity of dther. Very often the pulkts come most 
 
84 Exhibition Characteristics of [Chap. III. 
 
 exquisitely laced over the body, and the purity of the grey is 
 always remarkable, while it moults out clear to, the very last. 
 No birds breed true to color with so little trouble in mating; 
 and we think, for this reason, that as the fowl becomes popular 
 on English farms, it may probably be the original light grey 
 Brahma which is preferred ; for without great care the Dark 
 birds are always tending to this color more or less, proving 
 their origin to have been thus derived. The time is hardly 
 yet come, perhaps, for the recognition of such a third class 
 in Brahmas, and perhaps it never may ; while the objection 
 may be easily raised that such a class would prove a 
 receptacle for all the mongrels bred between the two others. 
 To some extent this might be the case ; but we think the 
 difficulty more apparent than real, as such birds would still 
 be Brahmas, and might possibly show what the breed is 
 capable of in the way of size and shape even better than 
 the present stocks, whose breeding is so restricted by the 
 necessity of breeding for color. The class would in fact 
 bear the same relation to the present Light or Dark, as the 
 Grey Dorking does to the White ; the latitude given in 
 feather being compensated by more careful judging with 
 regard to size and form ; and as we have already expressed 
 our opinion that the breed is of all others, if thus bred, best 
 adapted to the general wants of the English farmer, we 
 think the result could only be good, and might win for the 
 Brahma an amount of attention from commercial breeders 
 which it has never yet had. In regard merely to beauty, 
 however, these light grey birds are all that can be desired;, 
 and if the liberty as to shade of color which we advocate 
 
Chap, ni.] Dark and Light Brahmas. 85 
 
 be thought objectionable, a very little care would soon fix 
 a certain definite standard of marking to which prizes should 
 be awarded. Whatever view be taken of this matter, however, 
 it is certain that for the proportionate number of Brahmas 
 now exhibited as compared with other breeds, in mere 
 fairness two classes are not enough: and we therefore throw 
 out the suggestion of reviving those splendid grey birds 
 which first took American fanciers by storm, as well worthy 
 attention in a day when "something new" is the cry every- 
 where in the poultry world. 
 
 Such hints as can be given on the practical breeding of 
 Brahmas must be reserved for another chapter. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Practical Breeding, Rearing, and Management af Brahmct?. 
 for Exhibition. 
 
 THERE is an odd kind of fascination about breeding 
 Brahmas that we have not felt with regard to other 
 fowls. Not that the young birds are handsome — -far from it : 
 it is tlie very reverse fact that adds the charm ; the chicks, 
 especially the cockerels, being so unconscionably ugly at 
 a certain age that they seem made for scarecrows and 
 nothing else. As therefore their hidden beauties begin 
 late and slowly to develope themselves, being visible to the 
 experienced eye weeks or months ere the casual spectator 
 can discern anything but the "lean plucked chickens" 
 Burnham so graphically describes, there is a pleasing excite- 
 ment about the business difficult to describe, but by no 
 means hard to understand. You stand in your yard, and 
 looking at your biggest cockerel, mentally pronounce him 
 the very ugliest wretch you ever saw in your life — but — 
 you don't know what he may be! Week by week you 
 watch his great body settle down lower on his long legs : his 
 wing feathers, once in such hopeless disorder, you get right 
 after awhile with infinite pains ; and when at last that tail 
 which seemed as if it never would grow begins to develope, 
 and the bird slowly acquires his adult plumage and gets into 
 condition, your hopes rise high as you see that he is "quite 
 
Chap, IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 87 
 
 as good as last year's Birmingham cup bird, Sir," and hope 
 that the cup may be his in due time. It may or not be-^ 
 for oftentimes the whole class at an exhibition will show such 
 a marked improvement over the previous year that a far 
 better bird is required to win ; but some such experience as 
 this belongs to every fancier, and adds a pleasant feeling of 
 excitement to a pursuit that is in itself, when rightly and 
 fe^onably followed, not only interesting and" beneficial ta 
 the individual, but useful to the community of which he 
 forms a part 
 
 The attainment of both these desirable ends, however, will 
 4ep^d entirely upon the manner in which the business is- 
 commenced and eoaducted. In very rare cases we havg 
 known persons to have purchased at some show a winnings 
 pen of birds, which have not only maintained subsequently 
 their high position, but have been the progenitors of first- 
 das stock. This can however only happen when the pen, 
 besides being good for exhibition, is also properly mated for 
 breeding ; and very rarely is this the case. If the first prize 
 eock and the fir3t prize hens at an exhibition be purchased 
 separately, it is many chances to one against their breeding^ 
 good stock ; and since we have turned ou^r attention specially 
 to this breed w§ have had dozens of letters from persons who 
 have spent large sums in this way, and afterwards given 
 up the faijcy in disgust ; whereas, if they had been content 
 patiently to stttdy the fovfl for themselves, or enlisted the 
 juc^ment of some experienced breeder, they might not only 
 have saved many pounds useless expense, but derived from. 
 their yards both profit wd innocent gratification, 
 
88 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 Before going into details it may be well to lay down a few 
 general principles : and the first is, that no written instruc- 
 tions can supersede the personal study we have just advocated. 
 Fowls, like men, have their "crinks and cranks," and often 
 some strongly marked individuality will baffle all calculations, 
 and when discovered needs to have special allowance made 
 for it if success is to be attained. 
 
 Again, it is most desirable if possible in commencing a new 
 strain, to provide at the outset several unrelated pens. By so 
 doing the breeder may keep his strain in his own hands for 
 many years, until it is thoroughly established and its qualities 
 defined, while year by year, if he knows what he is doing, 
 he will come nearer to his wishes ; but if he is obliged to buy 
 a cockerel every year for "fresh blood," he does not know 
 what he is doing, and may spoil the result of yeafs of patient 
 labor, by some glaring fault lying latent in, and imported 
 quite unsuspected by an unlucky cross. We know a strain of 
 Dark Brahmas, for instance, which breeds very good' stock 
 when kept to itself ; but the cockerels when crossed with 
 other strains very often produce at first pullets disfigured 
 with large white splashes, and cockerels with almost white 
 breasts. Even the* skilful breeder is constantly liable to be 
 deceived in this way; and it is from sad experience, that 
 whenever we breed from a strange cockerel we " hope for the 
 best and expect the worst," as is recorded of the old woman 
 who was compelled unwillingly to go to a fresh grocer for 
 her pound of tea. 
 
 If fresh blood be really required to recruit an old and good 
 strain, no pains are too great to ascertain what the birds are 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 89 
 
 likely to breed. Whenever possible he (if a cock), or they (if 
 hens) should be chosen from ttie breeder s yard ; and if young 
 birds, the purchaser should ask to have the parents (if alive 
 even the grand-parents) pointed out to him. If not bred by 
 the vendor, he should ask the parentage, and when practicable 
 see the yards thus indicated. Should the birds be older, he 
 should for similar reasons ask to see their progeny (if any), 
 and ascertain how tJiey zvere mated in order to produce them. 
 In all or any cases, both the excellences and defects that 
 appear in either generation should be carefully noted, and 
 the observer should endeavour to form a judgment as to what 
 circumstances either have been owing. And finally, in thus 
 crossing into an established yard, the most perfect birds 
 possible should be procured, unless some particular defect be 
 needed to counteract one of an opposite nature. This may 
 appear a great deal of trouble ; but to avoid spoiling a yard 
 once brought to high excellence is worth it all, and it is just 
 the careful observance of such particulars which make the 
 distinction between the skilled and careful breeder, and the 
 man who thinks "money can do anything," and finds that 
 it can't, at least in poultry breeding. 
 
 But in commencing an altogether new yard, it is not 
 necessary, nor even always desirable, to purchase perfect 
 and high-priced show birds. In the first place, as already 
 explained, even such birds will often breed a comparatively 
 small proportion of good chickens, unless got from and 
 matched by one breeder, which is not preferable in all cases ; 
 whilst on the other hand excellent results may often be 
 attained with very moderate stock, provided they be so 
 G 
 
90 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 selected that the defects of the cock shall counteract those 
 of the hens. Again, size in Brahma stock, if adult, is not of 
 the importance that might be imagined; for the breed, as 
 we have already noted, has such a wondrous vitality, or 
 power of recovery in this point, that magnificent chickens 
 may be reared, with good feeding, from small parents — a fact 
 which we think cannot be affirmed of any other fowl. 
 
 It will be found by experience, that with one exception, 
 the cock has the most influence upon the fancy points, while 
 the hen has most upon the form and size. Hence it is 
 infinitely better to breed from small cocks and large hens 
 than vice versa — indeed we always rather like small cocks 
 for their liveliness and vigor. Hence also the reason why 
 legginess in the cock is of less importance than in the hen, 
 though even in her it may be counteracted. Hence also a 
 narrow cock and very wide hen are more likely to breed well 
 than the contrary. And it is the cock especially to which 
 the breeder must look for defects or perfection in the comb, 
 for the yellow leg which is so great a beauty, and, with the 
 one exception already hinted at, for all the finer points of 
 the breed. 
 
 That exception is the pencilling of the Dark breed. With 
 regard to this feature, constant experience has convinced us 
 that the influences of the two sexes are very nearly equal, 
 but that there is more probability of breeding good chickens 
 from a perfectly and darkly pencilled pullet or hen, and an 
 untried or second-rate cock, than from a badly colored or 
 pencilled hen, and a cock of the most perfectly pencilled 
 " blood" that can be procured. There will probably be some 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 91 
 
 bad and some good in both cases, but the average will be 
 as stated. If very bad in marking, therefore, a Dark hen 
 had better be discarded altogether: if even second-rate, 
 we should expect very few good pullets from her, but if 
 unusually fine in shape and carriage it may be worth while 
 to breed from her with a good male bird for the sake of 
 the cockerels, and the stray good pullets which may come 
 by chance. 
 
 A bad-combed hen, also, may be bred from if a cock with 
 a very small fine comb can be procured, with the probability 
 of success. But any actual deformity of the frame, such as 
 round or crooked backs, must be "stamped out" at once, or 
 tlie consequences may be lasting and grievous. There is a 
 minor blemish of this kind which is very apt to prove here- 
 ditarj', in the shape of small and crooked toes, instead of the 
 firm, straight, spreading feet which alone become such a 
 magnificent fowl. 
 
 With regard to more venial faults, in choosing a breeding 
 pen let them be mutually and most carefully compensated. 
 If the cock have a drooping back and saddle, let the hen be 
 very high towards the tail : if his hackle be short or scanty, 
 let that of the hen be unusually sweeping and full. Any 
 white stain in the ear lobes (which is a blemish, though not 
 a disqualification) is very apt to perpetuate itself; and if 
 therefore any of the breeding stock possesses it, particular 
 care should be taken that the other sex has had no sign of it 
 for generations. If tlie hen is at all long in the leg, the 
 shanks of the cock must be particularly short, or nearly all 
 the progeny will be long-legged to a certainty. 
 
92 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 To breed heavy feather, the best plan at commencing is to 
 mate a heavily feathered and hocked cock with hens nearly 
 bare-legged. We have had hocked birds we valued highly 
 for breeding purposes, though we cannot express our utter 
 scorn and contempt of those who would pluck them for show ; 
 but in general such cockerels, good in color and other points, 
 may be obtained at a very moderate price. Some hocked 
 birds have very little shank-feathering — such are only fit for 
 the kitchen, any hocked bird used for breeding being also 
 heavily feathered ; when, if mated as described, there will 
 be very few hocked chickens, the great majority being 
 beautifully feathered, with soft, curling, but well covered 
 hocks, just right for the show pen. The cross between a 
 scantily feathered cock and hocked hens is not nearly so 
 good, according to our experience, producing many hocked 
 pullets ; whereas the other cross seldom breeds more than 
 one-fourth to one-eighth of hocked birds. The progeny, 
 however, must be mated with peculiar care ; for if birds so 
 bred be penned together, there will often be many hocks 
 re-produced owing to reversion, though the birds themselves 
 be unexceptionable in appearance. Chickens bred from a 
 hocked parent, therefore, if fully feathered, should be mated 
 with birds from some other family bred with no taint of 
 hock, and very slightly less feathered than themselves ; when 
 the progeny will commonly be feathered about the same as 
 the better furnished, hock-bred parent. By attending to 
 these precautions, splendid feathering may be obtained, with 
 very little trouble from vulture hock. It cannot be denied 
 that the proper way of breeding would have been to maintain 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 93 
 
 the proper heavy feather by selection, without aid from 
 hocked birds at all : but the recent fashion of bare legs, and 
 the subsequent use of hocks to remedy its effects, have so 
 contaminated every yard, that it is better to make a known 
 experiment which can be controlled, than to purchase and 
 mate heavily feathered birds with an unknown amount of 
 hocked taint, and which will be almost certain to produce 
 many hocks, as we have found to our cost.* In a very few 
 years, by attending to the precautions above described, all 
 tendency to hock may be effectually eradicated, without any 
 loss of feather. 
 
 In breeding for size, it is best to select a very short, com- 
 pact, deep-bodied cockerel, which need not be large, and mate 
 him with long-backed hens, even if their legs be rather longer 
 than ordinary. Although length of back is a decided fault, 
 such a cross will generally breed well ; the hen appearing to 
 supply the frame, which the cock fills out to the proper pro- 
 jMrtion. In this way we have bred pullets magnificent in 
 shape, which weighed 9 lbs. in November, from hens only 
 about 7j lbs. weight, but whose length of frame supplied the 
 necessary material to work upon. Long, rangy, large-boned 
 cocks may also be mated with compact, short-legged hens for 
 the same purpose ; but we prefer the cross first mentioned, as 
 generally producing better results. 
 
 ' A year or two ago, we had many letters complaining that nearly all the e^s 
 sold by a very successful exhibitor produced chicks with hocks nearly sweeping 
 the ground. A friend of ours grimly remarked that he had got "a new breed 
 with wings on their l^s." The result in other yards recruited or commenced firom 
 this stock may be imagined. 
 
94 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 Some of the finest chickens in point of size which we ever 
 had were reared from the eggs of a pullet ; but subsequent 
 and larger experience has convinced us that the general 
 opinion is correct, and that the best chickens as a rule are 
 produced by mating either a two-year old cock or a cockerel 
 with hens in their second season. The great point is that 
 such chickens fledge more quickly, and hence get to their 
 growing stage at an earlier period. Cocks may however be 
 mated with pullets without any hesitation, and such a pen 
 has the advantage that it usually produces a good proportion 
 of pullets in each brood, while hens mated with cockerels 
 often turn out too many male birds : but every such rule 
 has marked exceptions. To mate cockerels and pullets, as 
 we have already said, is not advisable ; but we would not 
 shrink from it with fine strong-boned birds, hatched before 
 the middle of April ; and the largest cockerel we ever had, 
 weighing 8 lbs. at five months old, was bred this season 
 (1869) from such a pen. When young birds are thus mated, 
 however, care ought to be taken that, all of them have grown 
 up strong and without illness ; and that the cockerel did not 
 suffer from leg-weakness in his young days. 
 
 Many breeders have much too great a fear of "breeding 
 in-and-in." We have already hinted at the consequences of 
 always depending on " fresh blood ;" and would ten times 
 rather breed from near relations than from unrelated birds of 
 bad quality. If three, or even two separate breeding pens can 
 be provided, the fancier may go on for years without a pur- 
 chase, and as long as he can breed birds good enough he had 
 better do so. Parent and offspring, or even brother and sister. 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 95 
 
 may be bred from without injury, provided the experiment 
 be not repeated until several years have elapsed, and fine 
 birds be chosen : but if any fault exist it will of course be 
 greatly aggravated by such a concentration, as it were, of the 
 faulty blood. On the other hand, beauties may be also 
 concentrated and fixed in the same way, as was done in the 
 celebrated " Favorite" family of Shorthorns. No breed has 
 such stamina as the Brahma ; and we never knew evil result 
 from breeding between relatives, unless it were foolishly 
 repeated, which ought never to be done, or unless small and 
 weakly birds were thus bred together. 
 
 If the breeder seeks to reproduce the peculiar " black-cock" 
 feathers, the hen as well as the cock should be chosen with 
 reference to this object. Some hens will be found in which 
 the top feathers of the tail lie nearly flat over each other: 
 such are the birds to be selected, with a cock showing any 
 similar disposition to flatness in the top pair of quills. The 
 difficulty is, that such birds may not unlikely be inferior in 
 other equally important characters, and hence have to be 
 rejected ; so that recovering a character so nearly lost as this 
 is, in the case of at least Dark Brahmas, can only be the 
 work of time, unless the fancier has the good fortune to 
 breed or find a bird with the feature in question, and other 
 points also, perfect, when a little care will fix the point 
 speedily. 
 
 In breeding light Brahmas it is very necessary to secure a 
 sufficient amount of color in the cock. The tendency of 
 nearly all poultry is to get lighter if indiscriminately bred, 
 which has therefore to be guarded against by selecting 
 
96 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 sufficiently dark cocks for breeding stock. One fault very 
 common in light cocks is to be specially avoided, that is, the 
 want of any distinct stripe in the hackle, which is frequently 
 replaced by a vague cloudy appearance as if the plumage was 
 dirty. Such a bird, independently of his inferior beauty, will 
 rarely breed nicely striped pullets ; and a bird of even lighter 
 hackle, if the stripes are sharp and defined, is infinitely to be 
 preferred. The saddle should be only lightly striped ; for if 
 there be much black in this part, or if even the neck hackle 
 be too dark, spotted backs are very apt to be produced. A 
 white-saddled bird may therefore be bred from occasionally 
 without detriment, and sometimes with marked improvement 
 to the color of a strain : for if this is never done, or if for 
 several generations male birds with too dark hackle be 
 selected, the pure white surface color is almost certain to be 
 impaired in a majority of the progeny. These remarks apply 
 chiefly to the formation of a new strain : when formed, and 
 as soon as cockerels are uniformly produced with moderately 
 striped hackle and nicely marked saddle, with pullets pure 
 white except on the hackle and tail, such will form the best 
 breeding 'stock, and should be selected as far as possible. 
 Breeding from "cloudy" hackles will almost always cause 
 disappointment to any one who knows what the beauty of a 
 light Brahma really is. 
 
 We think there is a decided tendency both among breeders 
 and judges to prefer more black or "color" in Light Brahmas 
 than has lately been fashionable. We quite concur in this, 
 the beauty of the breed being much increased by plenty of 
 marking ; and fanciers will do well to bear the point in mind 
 
Chap, rv.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 97 
 
 in forming their own analysis of the judging during the next 
 few years, and im mating their pens. 
 
 The only cross that is likely to be met with in choosing 
 Light Brahma stock is that with the white Cochin, which we 
 are satisfied has contaminated more or less very many birds. 
 As this has been denied by some experienced breeders, we 
 think it right to state that we have the avowal in writing of a 
 well known winner at Birmingham, that some of his best birds 
 "were bred from a Dark Brahma cock and white Cochin 
 hens ; " and of course such a cross must not only affect his 
 own strain, but would communicate the taint to any others 
 which might be recruited from it. The evils of the experi- 
 ment would be more apparent after two or three generations 
 than at first, as chickens quite correct in marking are often 
 produced by such a cross; but the effect of reversion is 
 alwa)^ seen afterwards in single combs, dark or sandy 
 patches of color, light hackle, and deficient breast. The 
 latter is on the whole the best test of a cross, which may 
 be also detected in many cases by the ground color of 
 the plumage being white instead of grey ; and if the two 
 defects be found together we should regard the evidence of 
 a stain more or less remote as perfectly conclusive. Another 
 very characteristic evidence of a Cochin cross is the shape of 
 the cushion, which in Brahmas rises more and more till it 
 rises into the nearly upright tail, whilst in crossed birds it 
 frequently rather droops over ; but as true Brahmas occa- 
 -sionally present this conformation, too much stress must not 
 be laid upon it. 
 
 Light Brahmas keep much cleaner than any other fowls 
 
98 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 which have much white in the plumage ; but still they cannot 
 of course be kept so as to show to advantage either in or very- 
 near a town. They require a clean fresh grass run to do 
 them thorough justice ; and when thus happily situated are 
 the most strikingly handsome of any fowls We know. If in 
 good condition they will then require no preparation what- 
 ever for exhibition, but should be shown just as taken up ofT 
 their runs, simply washing their feet if dirty. If these 
 advantages cannot be had, they may still be kept in beautiful 
 condition in well gravelled or sanded yards, or on bare earth, 
 provided there be an ample and absolutely dry shed, well 
 supplied with finely sifted road dust or gravel, mixed with 
 finely cut and very clean straw. The latter not only en- 
 courages them to scratch and cleanse themselves, but deepens 
 and brings out the yellow tinge of the legs, and helps to keep 
 the other materials dry. This last is specially important : for 
 all fowls show a perverse disposition to revel in damp rather 
 than dry earth ; and the result on white plumage may be 
 imagined. If kept in the smoke of a town it is almost 
 impossible to show Light Brahmas with credit ; and the 
 fancier should content himself with the equally beautiful 
 Dark breed. 
 
 It is also necessary to provide plenty of shade for Light 
 birds, otherwise even good pure white strains will become 
 sadly sunburnt in dry seasons. As we have remarked, there 
 is a yellow which exists in some strains, and which nothing 
 can bleach : but what is simply sun-burn may very often be 
 removed by covering the yellow parts with chloride of lime,, 
 very fresh and strong, made with water into the consistency 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 99 
 
 of cream. This should be washed off in half an hour or less^ 
 tlwroughly, with solution of hyposulphite of soda, the whole 
 being rinsed out with blued water only. If care be not taken, 
 the remedy will be worse than the disease, owing to the 
 caustic power of the lime ; but bleaching can be thus accom- 
 plished in most cases which arise merely from the sun. 
 Washing fowls, however, removes so much of that beautiful 
 gloss which gives half the charm to their plumage, that it is 
 far better to provide such shade as may render any treatment 
 unnecessary. 
 
 In breeding Dark Brahmas also, the constant tendency to 
 breed lighter must be allowed for ; and therefore, to maintain 
 the character of any strain it is ever necessary to provide 
 depth of color on one side or the other : in fact either the cock 
 or the hens should if possible be a shade darker than the color 
 desired. Mr. Teebay, who some years since carried all before 
 him, and exhibited birds equal or superior to any seen now, 
 always attributed his success to the fact that he " bred the 
 darkest birds together," which soon gave a character to his 
 strain no other possessed ; and if depth of pencilling be 
 desired the same plan must be followed still. 
 
 The selection of hens or pullets will be comparatively a 
 simple matter. The fancier should consider what color and 
 character of pencilling he prefers out of all those to be 
 observed at shows, and then procure birds as near to it as 
 possible. If they be, as above remarked, a shade darker 
 than the fancied color, it will be all the better, provided the 
 cliaracter of the pencilling be the same. It is necessary how- 
 ever to distinguish between pullets and hens; in the case 
 
lOO The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 of silver-grey birds especially, which as hens often look so 
 brown and dingy, that it seems almost impossible to believe 
 they were ever of that exquisite color so admired by many in 
 the young pullets. Such brown birds will often breed good 
 stock ; nevertheless, as the dingy color is the great drawback 
 and blemish of the silver-grey school, if hens can be obtained 
 free from it so much the better. In any case, the birds 
 should be well pencilled over the breast, or it will be long 
 and tedious work getting dark breasted pullets from such a 
 stock. 
 
 There is almost always a little tendency in Dark Brahma 
 pullets to show the shaft of the feather white about the 
 shoulders and front of the breast, causing a slight appearance 
 of streakiness, as in the silver-grey Dorking. This tendency 
 will increase if not watched ; and when allowed to develope 
 causes an unsightly appearance, being most conspicuous, by 
 <;ontrast, in the darkest colored birds. Hens or pullets very 
 much disfigured in this way should therefore be discarded ; or, 
 if employed for the sake of unusually fine shape or color, must 
 be most carefully mated with cocks quite free from streak : 
 otherwise the produce will be nearly all thus marked, and the 
 tendency may get so much developed that it may be almost 
 impossible to breed it out again, the whole body showing the 
 white streak down the centre of every feather in a most un- 
 sightly way. A little about the breast exists in nearly all 
 pullets, but if not too much will generally disappear when 
 they moult out as hens. 
 
 Hens or pullets with very large coarse heads, of a "sour" 
 -expression, should in nearly every case be refused for breeding 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. loi 
 
 stock. Such a strain is very often crossed with the Dorking, 
 and to get coarse heads is to lose one of the chief beauties of 
 the Brahma breed. A hen with this defect has in most cases 
 lai^e, coarse pencilling also ; and only when the size, shape, 
 and carriage were unusually fine, and pencilling also good, 
 would we experiment with her, choosing for the purpose a 
 particularly fine-headed male bird. 
 
 It is the choice of the cock that is the real difficulty in 
 breeding Dark Brahmas; for those differences in color and 
 marking which in the hens are so apparent, are in him only 
 partially perceptible even to the most experienced eye, and 
 to most persons not at all. There is not a breeder who has 
 never been disappointed in his expectations from some noble- 
 looking bird ; and we do not pretend for a moment that these 
 pages will guard everyone from failure, the different strains 
 being so crossed and blended that unexpected tendencies are 
 oflen developed, and baffle all calculation. Still there are 
 some general principles which make success at least likely 
 to be the reward of him who will observe them. 
 
 In breeding silver-grey pullets, the cock ought if possible to 
 be entirely free from brown, even in the wing bar. Purple 
 reflections in the tail are also improper, the right color being 
 a very dark greenish blacK, while the bar on the wing should 
 appear positively green. The more black there is towards 
 the front part of the back the better, and the hackle and 
 saddle feathers ought to be moderately but very distinctly 
 striped. Supposing the bird perfect in these respects, almost 
 all will depend on the color of the underparts ; and Mr. F. 
 Wragg, formerly manager of Mr. Boyle's yard, lays great 
 
I02 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 :stress* on the breast, thighs and fluff being pure black, which 
 seems at first sight reasonable enough. We are, however, 
 satisfied from experience that it is to this rule, or more 
 particularly to the principal stress being laid on the blackness 
 -of the fluff, that the white heads and pale breasts so frequently 
 seen in silver-grey pullets are due. If a black-breasted 
 cock can be procured, the fluff may be black with no ill 
 result ; but while black fluff is common, an entirely black 
 breast is more rare ; and if the bird have the least white 
 mottling on that part, while the fluff is black, the effect will 
 .almost invariably be that the pullets bred from him are very 
 dark behind, but too light on the breast and head. On the 
 other hand, we have always found that a cock with the fluff 
 slightly mottled produced better pencilled birds than the pure 
 black, provided the middle of every feather were quite black, 
 and all the white confined to the edges. Mr. Wragg's 
 opinion evidently arose from the fact that very often the 
 shaft of the feather shows white in the fluff of the cock, with 
 more or less white or grey about the centre of the feather 
 also ; these birds will almost invariably f breed just such 
 
 * He speaks thus : "I wish to repeat, that for breeding I select a cock with all 
 the underparts perfectly black. I especially dislike to see the fluff on the cock's 
 thighs with white in it ; many of the chickens from such a parent would be very 
 bad in color, showing light streaky feathers on the breast." — Practical Poultry 
 Keeper, f. m. 
 
 t We say almost : for quite recently, at the best show of the year, we were asked 
 by a well known breeder to give our opinion of his cock, which had taken the 
 second prize. The liird was fine in shape, size, and color, all but an unusual 
 amount of streaky feathers about the thighs. "While therefore commending him as 
 a show bird, we remarked that he would breed veiy bad pullets, and were much 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 103 
 
 " streaky" pullets as he describes. But if the shafts and whole 
 centre of the feathering be a rich black, with only a lacing of 
 white at the tip and edges, no such result need be appre- 
 hended, and all that has to be stipulated for a probable good 
 result is, that the breast, whether mottled or black, be darker, 
 or at least fully as dark, as the thighs. Then, if the hackle 
 be well striped, and the hens have good dark breast^ two- 
 thirds of the pullets bred will probably be fit for exhibition. 
 
 It is a singular fact, that by continually selecting cocks 
 with wings perfectly clear from brown, a tendency is almost 
 always developed to ittcrease the brown, thus producing the 
 very thing so carefully shunned. The brown so developed 
 in the cockerels is however very different from that in darker 
 strains, being of a dead or rusty tinge, and often stained or 
 mingled with white. Even the black often loses its intensity 
 in such birds, which are valueless for breeding and ought to 
 be for showing (even after the brown feathers 2.xe. plucked out), 
 though we have known them take prizes. The tendency may 
 be checked in a measure by always choosing dark-breasted 
 hens, but is generally more or less a fault of the lighter grey 
 strains. However much a Brahma cock may be mottled, 
 there should be no appearance of "washiness" about him: 
 
 suiprised to hear in reply, "Why, he breeds puUets to perfection!" Some 
 of his progeny at the same show were pointed to us ; and though neither the 
 judges nor ourselves admired them much, they were free from streak, and we 
 "owned np" that we did not know quite all about breeding Brahmas yet ! In 
 this case the good resultmay have been owing to the hens mated with the burd 
 being particularly free from any tendency to streak ; and to repeat the experiment 
 would be very unsafe. We had however, a very streaky cock of our own which 
 also bred pullets free from the defect, though hU hens were only fair averag* birds. 
 
I04 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 the white should be white, and the black black: and no other 
 will obtain prizes from a judge who understands the breed. 
 
 The brown color liked by some breeders is less bred now 
 than formerly. Those who admire it should select a cock 
 with a few brown feathers in the bar of the wing. The breast 
 may be considerably mottled, and so may the thighs, if the 
 hens be darkly pencilled on the breast, but the white mottling- 
 must be very sharp and distinct. The stripes in the hackle 
 are generally very thin in this colored strain ; and the black 
 feathers should show green reflections as in that first 
 described, but darker. It is also most important to ascertain 
 that the bird be of a stock breeding the desired color ; 
 indeed we should consider this the most important point 
 of all. 
 
 Many persons seem to consider that brown Brahmas must 
 necessarily be crossed. We certainly have seen some such 
 birds, whose coarse, cruel-looking heads, and other points, 
 denoted a cross with the Dorking ; but many others present 
 all the characteristics of pure-bred Brahmas, and in a few 
 years, simply by selection, this color may be bred from the 
 purest grey. It is therefore more a matter of fancy than any- 
 thing else. The brown strains have the merit of breeding 
 very true to color with comparatively little trouble, and there 
 is little difficulty in producing dark heads and breasts in the 
 pullets. We confess we do not fancy the brown tinge ; but 
 must regard it as quite legitimate to breed it, and would, 
 never in judging place the mere color of the strain before 
 more important considerations. 
 
 In breeding for the dense, dark pencillings which we our- 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 105 
 
 selves prefer, and which we think will again become the most 
 popular color of any, a cock should be selected with the 
 stripes at base of the hackle a particularly dense black, and 
 the saddle also well striped. Particular attention should be 
 given to the shafts of the feathers, both in hackle and saddle, 
 and if they be very white the bird should be rejected. Indeed 
 this precaution is necessary in breeding for any color ; but 
 most of all in this, because the dark color of the pullets will 
 make any streakiness more conspicuous. We do not think 
 we ever saw a cock quite free from white streak somewhere in 
 the shafts of the saddle or hackle, but there should not be 
 much, or we have generally found the bird bred streaky 
 chickens. As the saddle merges into the tail coverts, the 
 black stripes ought to become very broad, and beautifully 
 sharp at the edges, with glossy reflections : such a bird will 
 rarely disappoint. The fluff is best of the same brilliant 
 black in the centre of the feathers, with a slight lacing of 
 white ; and the breast ought to be slightly mottled, the best 
 marking of all being small round white spots about the size of 
 pepper-corns, evenly distributed over glossy black : but a 
 black breast, with the fluff described above, will also breed 
 good pullets, and for breeding cocks is to be preferred. We 
 have had a few cocks with a narrow white line at the tip of 
 the breast feathers ; and such also breed well. The shank 
 feathering is best a little mottled, pure black being in our 
 experience not so good. 
 
 Particular attention should also be given to the front part 
 of the back, where it is covered by the hackle. If there be 
 plenty of black, dark pullets may be confidently anticipated, 
 H 
 
io6 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV, 
 
 the other points mentioned above being correct ; but they will 
 often be too dark, merging into almost solid black on the 
 back, with dark blotches about the breast ; though this is not 
 always the case, especially if the hens be of a lighter strain, 
 when such dark cocks are the best. But if the hens are also 
 dark, a cock should if possible be selected in whom these 
 black feathers of the back are laced with white on the edges ; 
 and he will in most cases, fluff and saddle being right, breed 
 beautifully pencilled birds. 
 
 The wing should have a very small amount of color in 
 it, but not so much brown, as a metallic, glossy, copper 
 bronze. This should be situated towards the top of the 
 wing-bar, and at the ends of the secondaries, or quills of 
 the wing, but not in so great a degree as to disfigure the 
 bird for showing. The reflections of the tail and wing 
 should be either green of a bluish cast, or of a purplish 
 shade : we have found both breed beautiful pullets, but there 
 is always some difference between the tails of the dark cocks 
 and of the preceding strains. In general, intensity of color is 
 to be looked for all over the bird, with at the same time 
 some fair proportion df white to guard against want of 
 "pattern" in the pullets. The breast should in all cases 
 be as dark, or rather darker, than the fltiff. 
 
 In selecting a cock from our own yard for breeding, we 
 always look first to the wing, then to the saddle and the tail 
 coverts, then to the fluff and breast. In purchasing one 
 from another, we should lay more stress upon the saddle 
 and coverts, and pay most attention of all to the color of 
 the birds he was bred from. With regard to the crossing 
 
chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 107 
 
 of diflFerent colors, a cock of the dark strain may be mated 
 with hens of either the brown or the silver grey, and will 
 only darken the pencilling. A cock of the brown strains 
 may also be mated with hens of the two others, with pretty 
 tolerable results, giving however brown patches, or stray red 
 feathers, or salmon breasts, to many of the pullets from silver 
 grey hens. A cock from a silver grey yard will breed very 
 few good pullets at all with hens of other colors, unless 
 unusually dark, but will sometimes produce very beautiful 
 and clean colored cockerels. And as the shades of difference 
 are so fine, in claiming a cock at any show, the purchaser 
 should always observe carefully the color of the hens or 
 pullets shown by the same exhibitor, and only complete the 
 transaction if that nearly agrees either with his own, or at 
 least with a permissible cross for the purpose desired. If, as 
 often happens, the same exhibitor shows different colors, the 
 fancier must, from observation or enquiry, determine the 
 breeding of the bird he likes as best he can. 
 
 As in the Light variety, there are many strains of Dark 
 Brahmas in which the silvery white of the upper parts 
 is replaced by a very disagreeable yellow. The fault is 
 hereditary, and of late has been very common, so that even 
 the principal cups of the year have been within our own 
 observation won by cockerels nearly as yellow as a canary. 
 If this tendency be not checked, one of the chief beauties 
 of the fowl will soon be lost. The sun will sometimes cause 
 a yellow tinge even in good white birds, but not if there be 
 plenty of shade; whereas the hereditary kind of yellow 
 -appears when the bird is kept from any sun at alL We 
 
io8 The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 believe the tint was originally introduced by a cross with the 
 Cochin, and cannot too strongly express our dislike of it as a 
 most unsightly blemish. 
 
 Dark Brahmas have on several occasions been extensively 
 crossed with both Cochins and Grey Dorkings. In the 
 case of Cochins the Partridge variety has been usually 
 employed, and the motive we believe has been either to 
 obtain darker breasted pullets, or to recover cushion and 
 fluff when too much lost from ignorant breeding. The 
 Cochin breast will be one sign of such impurity in the blood, 
 while the expresson of the face is often very different from 
 that of pure bred birds. But the best test is the occurrence 
 of red feathers about the hocks or fluff of the cockerels, with 
 yellow in the hackle ; and if in addition the hens bred from 
 the same stock have red about the shoulders, the evidence 
 will be pretty conclusive. Red or brown about a pullet's 
 breast is however no proof whatever of a Cochin cross, as 
 the purest bred birds will occasionally show it. 
 
 The Dorking cross has been attempted for several objects. 
 Some have tried the experiment with a view to gain earlier 
 growth, the Dorking being a quickly maturing fowl, while 
 the Brahma grows late. Others have desired to improve the 
 quality of the meat — a legitimate object enough if the 
 parentage were avowed ; whilst some have hoped to improve 
 the pencilling on the breast, always the difficult point with 
 Brahma breeders. Many exhibitors doubt the existence of 
 this cross at all ; and on one occasion, at the Birmingham 
 Show, when we pointed out a prize pen as certainly con- 
 taining Dorking blood, we were met with an amount of 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 109 
 
 ridicule which we do not wish to encounter again. But facts 
 quite justified our assertion ; for in April of the following 
 year we had a letter from a friend who had purchased 
 a nest of eggs from the exhibitor of that very pen, stating 
 that one of the chicks had the well-known five claws ! Of 
 late the taint has been less perceptible than formerly; 
 owing partly, we believe, to the greatly increased number 
 and skill of Brahma breeders, who have multiplied the real 
 fowl in proportion, and rendered detection more certain 
 by comparison. White legs are one sign of the cross. 
 We rarely even yet visit a show without seeing somewhere a 
 white-legged pullet, though they are less common than they 
 were; and we believe this fault to have been introduced 
 entirely by the Dorking cross, except where lime is used in 
 the yard. We have seen birds all but perfect in every 
 otlier point ; and would not condemn such, as a good yellow- 
 l^ged cock might obviate the fault in her progeny : but 
 unless the bird was reared on a lime bottom it shows that 
 a taint lias existed, though nearly bred out again. A great 
 want of cushion is another sign of Dorking blood, but is not 
 to be trusted to alone, as bad selection in breeding will 
 produce the same fault. On the whole the best sign is a 
 large, " sour,'' cruel-looking head, which is generally the last 
 evidence to quit a strain once contaminated, being often 
 present even after the white 1^ has disappeared. A Brahma 
 pullet may have much too long or too large a head for 
 beauty, and yet be pure, provided the expression be gentle 
 and pleasing ; but we would never trust to any strain which 
 bred cruel-looking birds. Minor signs are, too ample tail in 
 
I lo The Practical Breeding of [Chap. IV. 
 
 the cocks, or too large wings, or comb very high in the centre 
 division and not at the sides, or especially white in the tail ; 
 but all these points should ■ be considered and compared in 
 doubtful cases before a decision is pronounced. Even the 
 white leg, as we have said, we have found can be produced in 
 a pure strain by allowing the birds to run on lime for a 
 whole season. 
 
 Passing on now to the practical business of the breeding 
 yard, we may say a word about selecting eggs. So many 
 follies have been uttered concerning this matter, that we 
 almost fear to hazard a fresh assertion. But in our 
 own experience we have generally found, that the best 
 shaped Brahma chickens were produced from eggs rather 
 short and round ; whilst very long eggs, especially if much 
 pointed at the small end, almost always bred birds with 
 some awkwardness in style or carriage, probably from the 
 chick being incommoded in the shell. We had one hen 
 which always laid such eggs ; and though she and her sultan 
 were free from the fault, all her chicks had backs drooping to 
 the tail. It may be different with others : we give the hint 
 for what it is worth. It is, however, certain that smooth- 
 shelled eggs alone are proper for hatching in this variety, 
 rough shells generally showing some derangement of the 
 organs, and being often sterile. The color is of little impor- 
 tance : we prefer a rather dark egg, but the best hen we ever 
 possessed for breeding laid eggs perfectly white. 
 
 Eggs should be chosen of the fair average size usually 
 laid by the hen they are from, any unusually large or small 
 being rejected. The absolute size is of little importance, some 
 
Chap. IV.] Bnhmas for Exhibition. 1 1 1 
 
 hens laying immense eggs, and others small ones. A fat hen 
 will always lay small eggs, which can only produce small and 
 weakly chicks. This is the great evil of our present system 
 of exhibition. We have had eggs sent us for inspection by 
 indignant purchasers from celebrated exhibitors, little larger 
 than those of a bantam, and sterile of course. We would 
 not set sudi if we knew tliem to be from the very best pen 
 ever seen, and to sell them is a real fraud, though it is often 
 done in ignorance of their utter worthlessness. 
 
 The shells of Brahma eggs are generally unusually thick 
 and dense ; and hence in hot weather the chicks are very 
 liable to perish unless the eggs are wetted, or the nest 
 itself be on the ground in a damp place. There is no need 
 of daily sprinkling them as some advocate ; but plenty of 
 water will do them good. Our usual plan is to take the hen 
 off at night about a week before hatching, in summer, and 
 empty a good half-pint of warm water over the nest and eggs, 
 repeating the operation a second time the third day after, 
 and once more the day before the eggs are to chip, replacing 
 the mother immediately. We never remove the chicks ; but 
 as soon as all are hatched the whole fiimily should of course 
 be removed to a dry place. 
 
 To secure early eggs from the two-year-old hens is of great 
 importance; and we have found that much can be done 
 towards this by skilful management, always getting eggs from 
 some of our hens early in January. It will be found that 
 hens which have laid late into the season before will not lay 
 till late in the new year ; and hence such birds as are valued 
 for next year's breeding should be allowed, as they become 
 
112 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV. 
 
 broody in the autumn, either to hatch and rear a brood, or to 
 sit on the nest for six weeks. In the latter case they should 
 have more food than is usual with sitting hens, but not 
 enough to cause fattening : and the usual result is to hasten 
 the moult, which the bird then gets through without laying, 
 and will commence in due time after. If, however, the moult 
 finds a hen laying, she will very often continue the supply of 
 eggs till the process is nearly completed, and early eggs 
 cannot then be expected. This point is of the more impor- 
 tance, because the eggs of pullets, which can of course be had 
 in any quantity, are not so good for early broods ; though we 
 have reared very fine early birds from the more vigorous of 
 our young stock. 
 
 The sex of Brahma chickens can in nine cases out of ten 
 be easily distinguished at about a fortnight old. The wings 
 of the little cockerels are narrow and pointed, while in the 
 pullets they are broad and rounded at the end. The 
 cockerels also show much dark color in the wing feathers, 
 while the pullets are nearly white in the light breed, and 
 pencilled in the dark. Later on, pencilling generally appears 
 in the wings of the cockerels also ; but the difference is still 
 easily seen by the pullets fledging down the breast and on 
 the shoulders, long before the cockerels show a vestige of 
 body-feathering anywhere. Not unfrequently pullets may 
 be seen almost fledged, while the cockerels are nearly bare, 
 especially when the parents on both sides are young birds. 
 
 The chicks being hatched, and supposed to be good in 
 quality, the immediate object is to get them to the greatest 
 possible size. With this view many people employ custard : 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 113 
 
 but we have perfectly satisfied ourselves that, whatever this 
 mixture of milk and eggs coagulated by heat may do for 
 Dorking chickens, it is at least thrown away upon Brahmas. 
 We are not sure that even better results cannot be produced 
 without it ; at all events birds quite as large can be reared 
 without, and we believe that the best food for this and all 
 large-boned breeds is coarse oatmeal, mixed with milk and 
 ground bones, or the "bone-dust" used by gardeners for 
 potting plants. * The use of this latter substance has many 
 advantages, and after several years experience we can affirm 
 without hesitation that there is a marked difference both 
 in the size and stamina of birds reared with it over others. 
 It adds to the size of the birds : it postpones their maturity, 
 or "setting" as poultry men call it, after which growth nearly 
 ceases : it greatly prevents leg-weakness in the cockerels ; and 
 it tends to produce full and profuse feathering, and to assist 
 in fledging. Burnt bones, or phosphate of lime, have not the 
 same effect by any means ; and raw bones crushed have the 
 fault of inducing early laying in the pullets, whereas the 
 bone-dust rather postpones it. The foetid odour is of no 
 consequence whatever with chickens, but communicates a 
 most offensive taste to the eggs of pullets if given after laying 
 has commenced. 
 
 For the young chickens while with the hen there is no 
 better food than that recommended by our Scotch friend, 
 
 * For the knowledge of this ingredient we were first indebted to Mr. John 
 Stuart, a well-known Scotch fancier, with whom we have exchanged many a long 
 letter on poultry matters, leading to a friendship which personal acquaintance 
 has only deepened and improved. • 
 
1 14 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV, 
 
 .\iiiich is mixed as follows : — Crumbled bread, one thick slice ;. 
 coarse oatmeal and grass cut small, of each a tea-cupful ; 
 bane-dust one ounce ; mixed with new milk to the proper 
 crumbly consistence. As they get older the bread may be 
 somewhat lessened, but some should always be given, as it 
 makes the mixture take up more milk, which is an object. 
 We have also found chickens soon tire of oatmeal alone. 
 
 For young broods this food should always be mixed 
 crumbly ; but when they get about two months old they like 
 it better with rather more milk. When they get tired of the 
 oatmeal, for a change a mixture of equal parts of sharps or 
 middlings and barley meal should be substituted, still adding 
 the bone-dust and a little bread, and mixing with milk so 
 that it will break when thrown on the ground. Enough 
 should be given to satisfy the broods without leaving any; 
 and they should be fed as often as any real appetite returns^ 
 which will be nearly every hour when first hatched, but will 
 soon extend to every two hours. To get very large birds this 
 constant care in feeding is absolutely necessary, though good 
 sized fowls may be reared with less. 
 
 In addition to the feeding, the chicks should have every 
 morning, the first thing, as much new milk as they will drink, 
 and again some time in the afternoon. They are very fond 
 of it, and it makes a considerable difference in their size,, 
 while it assists them wonderfully in early seasons. On cold 
 days a little crushed hempseed may be added to the food 
 with advantage. We never found our own Brahmas need ale,, 
 or that they were any the better for it, but in some cases it 
 might perhaps be given with benefit 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 115. 
 
 The last feed at night should always consist of grits,, 
 chopped with a knife for the first few days. For a change 
 canary seed may be given. And a little boiled liver or other 
 cooked meat chopped fine, should be given once, and once 
 only, every day. 
 
 Up to the middle of March the broods should have a feed 
 every night at about ten o'clock, dry grits giving the least 
 trouble, with as much as they will drink of warm milk. If 
 the hen and her brood can be brought into the house so much 
 the better. A little patience is often required to teach them 
 to feed at night, and for several times they will often eat 
 little or nothing, or even refuse to come out at all. In such 
 a case we set down the light, lift the hen off the chickens 
 bodily, and scatter the grits among them before she has time 
 to cover them again. She will then call them to the food ; 
 and in a few days they learn that candle-light means " grub," 
 and come out to fill their tiny crops with great satisfaction. 
 
 Almost the only ailment Brahma chickens are subject to is 
 cramp in the feet. Mere cold is seldom the reason of this, but 
 damp ground will almost always cause it in a portion of every 
 brood till the weather becomes mild, though the offspring of 
 adult birds are less subject to it. The chicks look perfectly 
 well, till some of them are observed with a tendency to close 
 the claws as though roosting, and this increases until the poor 
 little wretch has to walk upon its knuckles in a manner 
 painful to witness. The milk and bone-dust, with meat once 
 a day, will guard against it in a measure ; but in bad weather 
 in February or March some cases will be sure to occur, unless 
 the breeder has a shed floored with perfectly dry dust or earth. 
 
ii6 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV. 
 
 in which case he will not be troubled unless his stock is 
 weakly. Even bad cases, however, can be cured. The treat- 
 ment is, to provide a cage near enough to the fire to be 
 comfortably warm, well furnished with fine dry ashes, and to 
 remove the chicks to it, only restoring them to the hen when 
 she is brought in at night. They are to be fed as usual, and 
 five or six times a day must be taken out and their feet 
 bathed in warm water, opening out the claws to the natural 
 position under the water, and keeping them so for about a 
 minute, when the chick must be put back in the cage. When 
 it begins to recover, it may now and then be left with the hen 
 for an hour or two on sunny days, but not in bad weather till 
 perfectly well. Much patience may be required, and we have 
 had chicks which needed a fortnight's treatment ere they were 
 quite restored ; but we never had one case we did not conquer 
 at last, unless the chick had been left for many days before 
 treatment was commenced. 
 
 If the chicks are bred in confinement the supply of green 
 -food must be unlimited ; and the best is grass, cut into green 
 chaff with a pair of scissors, and thrown on the ground by 
 itself as well as mixed in the meal. They will eat much 
 more of it this way than if they have to pluck it from a 
 turf On a grass run of course this will not be needed. 
 
 At ten weeks to three months old the cockerels 7nust be 
 separated from the pullets if fine birds are desired. When kept 
 together, the pullets lay much sooner, and the cockerels 
 "furnish" or finish their fledging, and both stop growing. 
 The cockerels "are best turned into a run in company with an 
 ■old cock, who will generally keep order, and agree very well 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 117 
 
 with them until they are first shown ; but after absence at a 
 show each bird will have to be provided for separately, or 
 there will be a fight. 
 
 The same period is a convenient time for picking out all 
 evident '' wasters," which can often be known at this age, but 
 not always. Dark pullets must not be discarded for white 
 breasts, as the pencilling often does not develope till the 
 feathers change : but a very streaky bird may be safely con- 
 demned, as may any which show great splashes of white or 
 brown about the back and shoulders. Dark cockerels which 
 are nearly white on the breast, of which one or two may 
 occur in the darkest strains at this age, should also be picked 
 out ; but well-shaped and promising chickens should not be 
 rejected for any amount of brown in the wings, as this will 
 often nearly or quite disappear with the adult plumage. It is 
 worth noting, that the general carriage of the cockerels can 
 be judged better at about ten weeks old, than at any subse- 
 quent age until the bird assumes his matured appearance. 
 
 Light Brahmas at the same period often show a great deal 
 of black, especially on the backs of the pullets and fluff of the 
 cockerels. Sometimes this will remain even until six months 
 old, and still disappear ; so that the fancier should be cautious 
 how he discards promising birds on account of too much 
 black, before they are full grown. 
 
 Like all other large fowls, Brahma cockerels are somewhat 
 subject to leg-weakness, caused simply by the growth being 
 more rapid than the constitution can bear. The progeny of 
 young birds are most subject to it ; but the use of bone-dust 
 in the food, as we have recommended, with a little sulphate of 
 
ii8 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV. 
 
 iron in the drinking water, we can state from experience is 
 almost a preventive. Since we adopted this system of 
 feeding we have only had one case, and that a very mild one, 
 though we have often bred from young birds ; and we believe 
 if the plan be generally followed it will be almost needless to 
 prescribe any treatment for this well-known infirmity ; but as 
 the bone-dust is often difficult to procure, we give the 
 following remarks by Mr. Joseph Hinton : — 
 
 "Of leg-weakness," he writes, "I believe there are two 
 Tcinds : bone weakness, from deficiency of bony matter, and 
 muscular weakness. Muscular debility we find generally in 
 very heavy birds, and is shown by the unsteady, gait and the 
 frequent squatting down plump on the ground. Here we 
 want iron, strychnia, and phosphate of lime — say 
 
 Sulphate of Iron 
 
 ... I gram 
 
 ,, Strychnia* 
 
 .■• tV i> 
 
 Phosphate of Lime ... 
 
 ... s .. 
 
 to be given three times a day for about six weeks ; but unless 
 the bird is likely to prove valuable it had better be killed. 
 
 " In the cases caused by deficiency of bone, the breast-bone 
 gives us some indication ; and the bird is more disposed to 
 be ' knock-kneed ' than actually weak on the legs. This is a 
 very great fault, and when the hocks have once thoroughly 
 assumed the inward inclination I do not think there is much 
 good to be done. I have often thought of tying a splint or 
 piece of wood between the hocks to keep them at the propei 
 
 * On account of the danger from an overdose of the strychnia, these pills should 
 be made up by a chemist, unless the breeder possesses the necessary knowledge'. 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 1 19 
 
 width : but in breeding fancy stock I feel convinced that to 
 kill is generally the cheapest cure in the end, as birds fussed 
 with and petted rarely grow to equal the others, at least in 
 my experience. Plenty of phosphate of lime would be the 
 best remedy for this form of the affection." 
 
 There is yet another danger through which the chickens, 
 especially the cockerels, have to pass before they are ready 
 for the show-pen. It rarely troubles those who have an 
 extensive grass run for their birds — ^happy indeed are such ! — 
 but all who breed in confined spaces know too well how 
 surely, in due time, nearly all their best young cocks acquire 
 the deformity known in the fancy as a "slipped" or "turned 
 wing," caused by the flights protruding in disorder outside 
 the other feathers. If neglected the whole wing often gets 
 into hopeless confusion, and almost past remedy. There is a 
 form of disordered wing which is indeed hereditary and 
 incurable, being caused by the feathers growing spiral-fashion, 
 or twisted on their own axes ; but it is happily very rare. 
 Whenever this occurs it should be ruthlessly "stamped out ;" 
 but mere displacement can be cured in every case if taken in 
 iime. It occurs usually about four to five months old, and in 
 confined yards is occasioned by the bird being driven by 
 -others, or otherwise frightened, causing the wing to be so 
 lapidly extended that in re-closing the feathers are not 
 properly returned. Even a single such occurrence will some- 
 times cause the blemish; but if not, a few repeated soon 
 -confirm the fault, which greatly mars the beauty of the bird, 
 and as it arises at an age when the quills are not hardened, 
 becomes permanent if not cured. 
 
I20 
 
 The Practical Rearing of 
 
 [Chap. IV. 
 
 The cure is perfectly easy, simple, and unfailing — at all 
 events, while a majority of our own cockerels, being reared in 
 very small runs, have been more or less affected, we never 
 had but one case which care and patience did not perfectly 
 subdue. Nothing can be done until the chicken-feathers are 
 cast, and the new or adult quills of the wing are grown long 
 enough to hold a ligature. This is usually at from eighteen 
 to twenty-two weeks old ; and as soon as it appears to be the 
 case, the bird is to be taken by candle-light (for the sake of 
 quietness) and the wing carefully replaced in the proper 
 position. Everything depends upon each feather being duly 
 returned ; and this much having been ascertained, the wing 
 
 Fig. 7- 
 
 must be bound round rather tightly, as near the shoulder as 
 possible, with soft string about the thickness of whipcord, 
 bringing the knot to about the middle of the outside. The 
 cord must then be passed from the knot round the shoulder 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. I2i 
 
 or web of the wing, and tied again to the middle of the 
 ligature on the inside ; which will effectually prevent the bird 
 slipping off the unwelcome restraint, as he will endeavour to 
 do. Fig. 7 will explain what is meant to the merest tyro. 
 The beginner may occasionally find he has made either the 
 ligature or the retaining cord too slack ; in which case he will 
 next morning find the bird has again slipped the flights out 
 of place, and the work must be done over again the following 
 night. If on the other hand the shoulder or retaining cord be 
 drawn too tight, it will cut and become embedded in the web 
 of the wing, causing the bird much pain and distress. After 
 one or two trials the proper tension of both cords will be 
 ascertained, and no further difficulty found. Most birds will 
 submit to the operation quietly, enough if taken from their 
 perch, but even when restive, patience and tact will always 
 prevail. Some wings are particularly awkward to tie, and we 
 remember one fine cockerel in particular, whose wing we had 
 to tie up afresh every night for a whole week, before all the 
 feathers were retained in place to our satisfaction ; but we 
 effected it at last, and eventually sold him for a large sum, 
 perfectly cured. 
 
 The bird must be kept with his wing or wings tied 
 up for at least three weeks, or until the quills appear 
 grown their full length, when the ligature may be cut. The 
 chances are that one wing may now appear cured and the 
 other not ; and if either or both are still in fault, the opera- 
 tion must be patiently repeated. We have had birds that 
 occasioned us more than two months of watchful care ; 
 but excepting one, whose treatment had been delayed rather 
 I 
 
122 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV. 
 
 too long, never had a case yet we did not overcome in 
 the end. 
 
 Pullets are subject to the same fault, but not nearly so 
 often as the cockerels ; and even adult birds will sometimes 
 require attention to their wings during moulting time. Where 
 the tendency is slight, it is often sufficient simply to see the 
 wing is properly tucked up every night at roost during the 
 critical period. We do not think we ever knew a bad case 
 where the birds had the run of a grass field. 
 
 With the approach of warm weather it is best to discontinue 
 giving any meat to the chickens, or the combs of the young 
 cocks will have a tendency to grow too large, and the pullets 
 would lay too early for large size. Indeed, it is very difficult 
 in fine seasons to prevent early pullets from laying at about 
 five months old, as they reach that age at a time of year 
 when everything favors the production of eggs ; but where 
 there is room much can be done by constant watchfulness and 
 attention, and the eventual size will greatly depend upon the 
 success with which the tendency can be warded off. Milk 
 and all stimulating food should therefore be discontinued, but 
 the bone-dust should still be given, having a decided tendency 
 to keep the birds raw or unformed. As the combs develope 
 and become red the pullets should be carefully watched, and 
 as soon as there seems the slightest reason to suspect the 
 approach of laying, be removed to a strange run. This will 
 usually check the production of eggs for a fortnight at least, 
 and the same expedient may often be employed for a second 
 time with success, but rarely more than this if the bird has 
 been really on the point of laying. It is better, therefore, 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 123 
 
 when possible, to move each lot of pullets to a strange run 
 every three weeks or so from the time they are four months 
 old, by which even early birds may often be kept from laying 
 till after seven months, to their great advantage. 
 
 We never like to see a young cock look "pretty" at too 
 early an age : such a bird may win at a very early show, but 
 by Christmas will appear a dwarf. Neither are we pleased to 
 see three-months chickens of either sex too short on the leg : 
 such also rarely make fine birds. It is the business of chicks 
 to make frame, on which flesh and feathers will soon come 
 after ; and it is the raw, ugly-looking, long-legged birds, whose 
 hackle is long in coming, and whose wattles show but little* 
 which in the end make giants for the show-pen. Even at six 
 months old the best cockerels generally appear very raw and 
 unformed, with hackle not half grown, and a length of leg no 
 one could believe would ever seem less ; but two months more 
 will tell a different tale, and produce magnificent birds, beside 
 which the precocious ones of September are not fit to stand. 
 
 Cockerels should therefore be hatched early, and in our 
 opinion are at their best when eight or nine months old ; but 
 a few months more does them little injury provided the upper 
 plumage remain a good white, which in confinement is often 
 not the case. Pullets, on the contrary, are often hatched too 
 soon, and by the time they have to be shown at Birmingham 
 have got long past their best condition, having reduced them- 
 selves by laying. When this has once commenced there is 
 nothing like a grass run to keep them fresh ; but we think 
 they never look quite so well as while laying their first few 
 ^gs. Pullets intended for Birmingham are therefore better 
 
124 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV. 
 
 hatched towards the end of April ; and though cockerels of 
 the same date are often scarcely mature enough, they usually 
 make larger birds eventually than if hatched at either a later 
 or earlier period. 
 
 We are convinced that Brahma chickens can be reared to 
 the best advantage of all, in grass yards of only moderate 
 size ; say about one thousand square feet, which will rear a 
 dozen fine cockerels and remain green. With unlimited range 
 the birds cannot be got to feed so regularly ; and though in 
 beautiful condition, mature too soon to make large fowls. On 
 the other hand, cockerels bred in confinement seldom take 
 enough exercise ; and hence, though easily reared to a great 
 size, often acquire an ungainly carriage which birds with more 
 liberty never have. 
 
 With regard to actual show condition, however, we are 
 more and more convinced that nothing can equal the effect of 
 a good wide grass run, and have always greatly felt our own 
 disadvantage in this respect. Birds thus happily situated will 
 only need to have as much soft food as they will eat for three 
 weeks before any show, and to have their legs and feet washed 
 the night before sending off ; unless they appear wild, when 
 they should be accustomed to being penned. This is easiest 
 accomplished by putting them in a pen every night for a 
 week, and keeping them confined till about an hour after they 
 have been fed in the morning, when they should not be taken 
 out, but allowed to come quietly of themselves. If they are 
 too thin they may be kept up in a dry shed for a fortnight, 
 letting them out on the grass for an hour daily to keep up the 
 appetite and give them exercise. 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 125 
 
 In exhibiting Brahmas bred in confinement, the difficulty is 
 to obtain gloss and hardness of plumage ; but even in such 
 circumstances much can be done by attention and care. 
 The most scrupulous cleanliness must be observed both in, 
 house and run-; and as before recommended, a shed floored 
 with perfectly dry material is of the utmost importance. If 
 any washing be needed, it should be done at least eight 
 days before the show, in order that there may be time for a 
 fresh secretion of oil to restore the gloss. Till the bird is 
 thoroughly dry it should be kept in a dry room with nothing 
 but straw or chaff on the floor, lest it should soil the washed 
 plumage while damp : but when dry it may be returned to the 
 shed, into which should be tipped some bushels of finely cut 
 straw, enough to cover the earth or ashes all over several 
 inches deep. This will keep the plumage perfectly clean and 
 nice (at least so far as anything can), and the birds enjoy 
 it greatly. 
 
 The parts most likely to need washing in Dark Brahmas 
 are the wings of the cocks and cushion of the pullets. Many 
 pullets appear brown in the cushion from no other reason 
 than that they were reared in small runs, the earth in which 
 they dust themselves adhering to a certain extent to the 
 plumage of this part, which is not so close as on the rest of 
 the bird. We hardly know whether to recommend washing 
 or not : much depends on the skill with which it is done, and 
 the time allowed to recover. The operation is best performed 
 with ammonia instead of soap, as this will entirely evaporate 
 without the need of washing out, and there is less_ risk of 
 •clogging the feathers. The final rinsing should be done with. 
 
126 The Practical Rearing of [Chap. IV. 
 
 water slightly blued, but not so much so as to give the effect 
 of a dye — just as much as will still allow a white bird to 
 appear white. It is very difficult for any but a professed 
 " poultry-man" in constant practice to wash a fowl well ; and 
 after trying both plans we now generally, on the few occasions 
 we exhibit, let our birds go as they are. The straw-chafF 
 mentioned will clean them to a great extent, and improves 
 their health at the same time. 
 
 With regard to feeding in confinement, the great thing is 
 to give the birds as much as they will eat with healthy 
 appetite, and no more. Were the condition in which Game 
 fowls are shown more favored by exhibitors and judges, 
 breeders in towns would be more on a level with their country 
 brethren ; but to obtain hardness of feather with the weight 
 necessary to win, is not an easy matter in a small yard. 
 Peas, to which the Game cock owes so much, would do the 
 same for the Brahma, but will not make size and weight. On 
 the whole we consider the best feeding for grown chickens to 
 be a good feed of any meal morning and noon, with grain at 
 night, substituting for the grain, linseed every third day during 
 the last fortnight. If the birds are not over-is^A. this will do 
 no harm, and gives much gloss to the feather. The cockerels 
 may with great advantage for a month previous, have daily 
 some fresh or raw bones, crushed as recommended by Mr. 
 Crook, to the size of peas ; but for the pullets it would be too 
 stimulating to give this, for fear of hypertrophy of the egg 
 organs. The effect of it is very great in giving condition to 
 the young cocks, but they are apt to^become very combative 
 in a small yard. 
 
Chap. IV.] Brahmas for Exhibition. 127 
 
 The use of sulphate of iron in the water will bring out the 
 bright red color of the combs and wattles ; and before sending 
 off, these parts of town-bred birds should be well washed — for 
 which purpose a common tooth-brush is very handy — and 
 then carefully oiled with a camel-hair pencil, taking care, 
 however, not to grease the adjacent feathers. Any stray 
 broken or foul feather may be plucked out without wrong, and 
 finally a careful smoothing over with a silk handkerchief will 
 do about all that can be honestly done for the birds. The 
 rest must be left for the judges. 
 
 If the journey to the show be a long one, there is no better 
 expedient for refreshing the birds on the way than that 
 recommended by Mr. Wragg * of tying half a loaf inside the 
 hamper on one side, and a fresh cabbage on the other. They 
 should in such circumstances be sent off by the night mail 
 trains, which will reach almost any place by good time in the 
 morning, and the birds miss their food but little. Should 
 they appear overdone, if the owner is with them, a table- 
 spoonful of port wine will often make a wonderful difference. 
 
 We only make one final remark. Brahmas will not bear 
 continual showing. Could they be shown with success in the 
 state Game fowls are — and we take this last opportunity of 
 expressing, however hopelessly, our emphatic opinion that 
 this is the condition in which all fowls ought to be shown — 
 no breed would surpass them in endurance of fatigue ; but to 
 carry the weight of flesh and fat success demands, with the 
 excitement and confinement of exhibition added, breaks them 
 
 * Practical Poultry Keeper, page 93. 
 
128 Brahmas for Exhibition. [Chap. IV. 
 
 down sooner than Cochins, on account of their naturally 
 active disposition. We have repeatedly known celebrated 
 cup cockerels purchased at as much as ;£^20, which proved 
 perfectly sterile, having been ruined and broken down in 
 constitution by over-exhibition ; and there is no judge but has 
 repeatedly to express his regret at seeing some noble cock, 
 winner perhaps only the week before, either actually para- 
 lysed in the legs or too weak to stand in his pen. To show 
 birds thus is to display the vices of the poultry fancy — to 
 carry to sinful excess in rivalry one of the most healthful, 
 innocent, and useful pursuits open as recreation for the 
 wearied body and mind of man; and whenever we come 
 across such a case, we feel it hard to conceal our contempt 
 for the gambling spirit which can gorge and then wear out 
 a poor bird, just for the sake of one more prize. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 On the Judgmg of Brahmas. 
 
 " I "HERE is no question whatever that the publication of 
 -■- the well-known Standard of Excellence in Exhibition 
 Poultry, drawn up as it was by the best breeders and judges of 
 the day, did much to promote a greater uniformity of judging 
 both in Brahmas and other fowls ; and whatever fault be 
 found with it, we think, on the whole, it will ever remain the 
 "basis at least of any future system of judging. It in fact 
 ■opened up an entirely new question, as to whether the 
 judging of poultry could be conducted upon any "system" 
 at all — a matter not altogether settled even now. It was 
 contended by many that correct judging could only be per- 
 formed by " the eye " of an experienced individual, whose 
 general opinion of a bird would be of greater value than any 
 conclusion arrived at by other means. On the other hand, 
 the promoters and compilers of The Standard proposed to 
 :substitute for this — which may be called the empirical 
 method — a regular system of deciding by "points," each of 
 which was to have a certain numerical value, and which were 
 to be added up to determine the relative value of a bird, 
 much in the same way as the well-known " good marks " in 
 .schools. To say that no judge could go about "book in 
 Iiand " and actually "add up the points " of the best birds, is 
 mot to offer any valid objection to such a system, since long 
 experience and habit would give to him a ready and 
 
130 The Judging of Brahmas. [Chap. V, 
 
 instinctive appreciation of the value of the points, which 
 would amount to nearly the same thing ; and the experiment 
 was accordingly regarded with great interest by all intelligent 
 poultry breeders. 
 
 With regard to the actual result opinions dififer: but for 
 ourselves, as we have already said, we think there has been 
 of late years an appreciable and gratifying improvement in 
 the uniformity of judging, clearly traceable to The Standard ; 
 whilst on the other hand, we have repeatedly had occasion to 
 observe how in certain cases the system completely breaks- 
 down. The question then naturally arises, whether in such 
 cases of failure* the fault is inherent in the system itself,. 
 or arises from insufficient or erroneous development of it.. 
 This question is a very interesting one, but we cannot discuss 
 it here, being foreign to the special subject of these pages. 
 We will only say, that a new system could not be expected tO' 
 reach perfection at the first attempt; and that so far as 
 Brahmas are concerned, while we feel convinced, after many 
 attempts to frame a perfect schedule of points for them, that 
 no theory can entirely dispense with what we have called the 
 instinct or general impression of the judge, we do think a 
 very nearly perfect system may be devised, and such as will 
 in case of doubt solve almost any practical difficulty. In the 
 few remarks which follow, therefore, we do not presume to 
 teach authorities already eminent how to judge a Brahma, but 
 
 * We are supposing of course cases where a pen is evidently correctly judged, 
 whikt the award is as plainly inconsistent with the numerical value of the points 
 as laid down in The Standard. Many such cases have come under our own 
 notice. 
 
Chap, v.] The Judging of Brahmas. 131 
 
 simply to assist those who may be conscious they do not 
 thoroughly understand this particular breed, and who may 
 have found by experience that to literally follow TJie 
 Standard in all cases occasionally leads to manifest errors. 
 We can illustrate our meaning best by first giving the 
 value of points in Brahmas as laid down in the work referred 
 to, where they stand thus : 
 
 POINTS OF BRAHMAS.* 
 
 Size - - - 3 
 
 Color . - - 4 
 
 Head and Comb - I 
 Wings. Primaries well tucked iinder 
 
 secondaries - i 
 
 Legs, and feathering of ditto I 
 
 Fluff- - . - - I 
 
 Symmetry 2 
 
 Condition - - 2 
 
 Total - - IS 
 
 Disqualifications. — Birds not matching in the pen ; combs not 
 uniform in the pen, or falling over to one side ; crooked backs ; legs 
 not feathered to the toes, or of any color except yellow or dusky 
 yellow. 
 
 The system implied here is easily understood. A pullet 
 perfect in color will count 4 on that ground ; but if not 
 perfect will count only 3, 2, or i, according to the judge's 
 opinion of her marking ; or if he thinks her very bad will 
 lose 4 points. If wanting in leg-feather, however, she will 
 only lose i. Thus all her points are added up, and by the 
 
 * We do not think it needfiil to confiise our present subject by repeating the 
 descriptive points, having gone fiilly into this branch of the question in Chap. HI, 
 
132 The Judging of Brahmas. [Chap. V. 
 
 result she is to be compared with other birds. If, however, a 
 bird has a very bad falling comb, it is to be disqualified ; and 
 the same of a crooked back and some other faults. 
 
 Now applying this to the decisions of the best judges, it 
 will be found, that while often pretty consistent, many 
 •evidently correct decisions do not harmonize with it. For 
 instance, we well remember Mr. Hewitt once awarding a cup 
 to a cockerel with a very large shapeless comb hanging 
 considerably over, and legs almost white ; on both of which 
 accounts, according to the above, the bird should have been 
 ■disqualified. We- are not sure we should ourselves have 
 awarded him the place of honor ; but would without hesitation 
 have given him the first prize (a position equally inconsistent 
 with The Standard) the reason being, that the bird was so 
 rarely perfect in every other point, no judge could possibly 
 have passed him over. Again, let us suppose a cockerel to 
 lose one point by not being very large, another by a little 
 want of condition, and another by some degree of fault in 
 the comb : if perfect in other matters his numerical value 
 would be 12. The bird in the next pen might carry every 
 point with the sole exception of symmetry, in which he was 
 altogether wanting, being clumsy in shape and most ungainly 
 in carriage : this fault would lose him 2 points, and his value 
 would be 13, beating the other by one point. But we have 
 not the least hesitation in saying that nearly any judge — 
 certainly any good judge — would exactly reverse such a 
 •conclusion. Many other similar cases might be given, and 
 .are constantly occurring. 
 
 It will be seen, then, that the primary fault of The Standard 
 
Chap, v.] The Judging of Brahmas. 133 
 
 system is that it is not elastic enough : and after many trials 
 to amend it, we feel persuaded that 1 5 points are not sufficient 
 to form any reliable " standard " at all of some breeds ; 
 whilst there are several elements unmentioned, which ought 
 to be included in the calculation. Respecting some points, 
 also, opinion has perceptibly changed since the original 
 tables were published. We have therefore ventured to 
 suggest an extended scale, not as our own opinion merely, 
 but as embodying what careful comparison has taught 
 us is about the value now practically given to various 
 points, as evidenced by the best actual decisions of Messrs. 
 Hewitt and Teebay during the last two years. The difficulty 
 of tabulating such actual practice and reducing it to a definite 
 system, none but those who have attempted it can estimate ; 
 and we offer the subjoined scale with some diffidence, as 
 another attempt to enable judges of less experience to 
 arbitrate in harmony with the practice of the best recognized 
 authorities. 
 
 It will be seen that in our table of points we have separated 
 the sexes. We have done so because all our observations 
 have led us to the conclusion that to apply the same scale 
 to both is to necessitate a false standard for one or the 
 other. 
 
 In our opinion, then, the general table of values should 
 stand as follows. The italics represent our own personal 
 views only: all the rest is deduced from actual analysis 
 of the value now practically given to the points, any 
 decisions apparently erroneous having been excluded from 
 the calculation. 
 
134 
 
 The Judging of Brahmas. 
 
 [Chap. V. 
 
 THE COCK. 
 
 Points of Merit. 
 
 Size 
 
 Color 
 
 Smallness, shape, and expression 
 of Head 
 
 Comb - . - 
 
 Fullness of Hackle 
 
 Wings, proper size and position of 
 
 Legs and feathering 
 
 Fluff 
 
 Breadth of Saddle 
 
 Rise of ditto 
 
 Tail 
 
 Symmetry - 
 
 ■Condition and handsome appear- 
 ance ... 
 
 Special Defects. 
 To count against the bird in propor- 
 tion to their degree. 
 
 Stain of white in deaf ear - I 
 
 White legs* - - - 3 
 
 Primaries of wing not tucked in - 3 
 
 Vulture hocks + - - 3 to 4 
 
 White in the tail \ - - - 3 
 
 Disqualifications. 
 Round or crooked back, crooked 
 beak, or any bodily deformity ; 
 knock-knees, or any fraudulent 
 dressing or trimming. 
 
 25 
 
 With reference to the table of defects, it should be observed 
 that only those can manifestly be inserted which are not pro- 
 vided for in the points of merit. Thus, smallness would be 
 a great fault ; but the bird would according to the points of 
 merit lose four by want of size, and no other provision is 
 therefore necessary. So of defects in comb and feathering, 
 A tail too long or sweeping on the one hand, or too much like 
 a Cochin on the other, would also lose a bird either one or 
 two points. Hence the table of defects is only needed for 
 special faults which in practice are found not sufficiently 
 accounted for in the general scale. 
 
 *A white or pinky-legged bird to be disqualified, unless very perfect in 
 ■other respects. 
 
 + See remarks further on. 
 
Chap, v.] The Judging of Brahmas. 135 
 
 In regfard to the special points of difference, it will 
 be seen that, amongst other things, we have given 
 much greater weight than The Standard to disorder of the 
 wings. Like the other points wherein we differ, this results 
 from comparison of many decisions by the authorities named ; 
 who — ^we think quite rightly — have on all late occasions 
 laid great stress on the fault in question, so much so that 
 in good classes a bird is now almost disqualified unless he 
 carries his wings clean. Comb and leg-feathering are also 
 now given, in practice, at least the values we have attached 
 to them. 
 
 In suggesting that three or four points against a bird should 
 be allotted to white in the tail, we differ somewhat from one 
 or two judges for whose opinion we have the highest respect ; 
 though we believe every judge of repute attaches more or less 
 weight to the fault in question. In urging that so much stress 
 should be laid upon this fault, we certainly are influenced 
 partly by the fact that Brahmas are in a great degree birds 
 -of feather ; and that if so, such a glaring blemish ought to 
 be regarded as in the case of a Silver-grey Dorking. But a 
 far stronger reason is that hardly any fault has so strongly 
 hereditary a character, which makes it most desirable to 
 stamp it out We also believe it is generally a sign of former 
 Dorking taint ; for we have never yet found it except in 
 strains which had large coarse heads, a point we have already 
 mentioned as indicating Dorking blood. All these reasons, 
 therefore, demand that more value should be attached to 
 purity of color in the tail than has hitherto been the case, if it 
 be desired to secure even purity of breed. 
 
136 
 
 The Judging of Brahmas. 
 
 [Chap; V, 
 
 With regard to color, we would simply express our opinion 
 that a bird of the objectionable straw color we have already- 
 referred to, should lose the full number of four points ; the 
 fault being lately so much increased as to need this decided 
 check. 
 
 We now pass to 
 
 THE HEN. 
 
 Points of Merit. 
 
 
 Special Defects. 
 
 
 Size 
 
 3 
 
 White legs 
 
 2 
 
 Beauty and regularity of color and 
 
 
 Very long tail 
 
 2 
 
 marking 
 
 4 
 
 Primaries not tucked in • - 
 
 3 
 
 Smallness and beauty of head 
 
 2 
 
 Very streaky feathers, though 
 
 
 Comb 
 
 I 
 
 otherwise good color {in Dark) 
 
 2 
 
 Shortness and breadth of back 
 
 I 
 
 Shank feathering not pencilled as 
 
 
 Cushion 
 
 2 
 
 body (in Dark) 
 
 I 
 
 Fluff 
 
 I 
 
 Spotted back (in Light) 
 
 2 
 
 Legs and feathering 
 
 2 
 
 Vulture hocks + - 2 to 
 
 3 
 
 Shape 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Condition, carriage, and general 
 
 
 Disqualifications. 
 
 
 appearance ... 
 
 2 
 
 Round or crooked backs ; crooked bills ; 
 
 knock-knees, or any bodily deformity;, 
 large red or white splashes in the 
 Dark breed ; pinky legs, or any frau- 
 dulent dyeing, dressing, or trimming. 
 
 In the hen, it will be observed, we have attached more value 
 to the head and less to the comb than in the cock. This is in 
 conformity both with all recent decisions, and with strict 
 propriety ; as are the other variations from or additions to the 
 numerical values given for the male bird. 
 
 The above scales we think, after much comparison and 
 testing, will be found to harmonize with the practice of the 
 
 + See remarks further on. 
 
Chap, v.] The Judging of Brahmas. 137 
 
 two eminent judges we have named, in almost every case 
 correctly judged. We feel convinced that to form any system 
 at all, it is needful to value marked defects as well as points of 
 merit ; and that it is from the want of this that TJie Standard 
 has not been found comprehensive enough when tested by 
 actual results. It must in fairness be admitted, however, that 
 the Brahma — especially the Dark Brahma — ^is one of the 
 most difficult breeds of all to deal with ; and that no system 
 can |)ossibly dispense with what we may call the iiistiiut of 
 a good judge. Mr. Hewitt will often, as we have witnessed, 
 pick out the first-prize bird by one glance of his eye down 
 the class, more correctly than a less experienced arbitrator 
 would do after an hour's examination with the most perfect 
 ■" scale of points " in his hand. No such system can in fact 
 make a judge, where this natural "eye" for a fowl is alto- 
 gether wanting ; but it may still be of great use, especially 
 in judging breeds with whose special points the arbitrator 
 is less acquainted; and may also serve, in the rare cases 
 where a good judge has — from want of time, nervousness, or 
 sheer fatigue of mind — made a wrong decision, to prevent 
 exhibitors beir^ misled by such an error into following a 
 really faulty standard. It is with such objects only that 
 these remarks are offered for the consideration of those who 
 have occasion or desire to study the correct judging of the 
 Brahma fowl. 
 
 It is absolutely necessary to notice in this place the vexed 
 question regarding vulture-hocks. Tfie Standard of Excellence 
 pronounced these to be " objectionable, but not a disqualifica- 
 tion." Since then the hock has been absolutely disqualified, 
 K 
 
138 The Judging of Brahmas. [Chap. V. 
 
 with two evident consequences. In the first place, breeders, 
 acquired such an absurd dread of disqualification for hock 
 that they feared to breed even well-feathered birds : some 
 judges would not look at even a moderately feathered shank, 
 and nearly " bare poles " became the ordinary fashion. The 
 ugliness of this, however, speedily caused most exhibitors tO' 
 give it up in sheer disgust ; with the second consequence that 
 many who would not wait to breed the lost feather back 
 fairly, bred hocked birds, plucked the hock, and showed 
 them thus to win prizes. We will not, and we wish not to 
 mention names — these pages are written to assist, and not to 
 wound others — ^but truth compels us to state from personal 
 observation, that this was done and prizes were so won in 
 dozens of cases; and that we have several times heard the 
 trickery confessed and justified by the offender's own lips. 
 On every such occasion the ground of justification has been, 
 that the hocked specimens have been amongst the "best 
 birds," and it has often been added, " we can't afford to give 
 them up, sir." 
 
 Now as the only object of disqualifying any particular 
 feature is to banish it from the fancy, and since the dis- 
 qualification of vulture-hock has altogether failed in this- 
 effect : since hocked birds are shown — fraudulently — and 
 being then purchased disgust many purchasers who do not 
 like the appendage ; since many experienced breeders affirm 
 that it is often the best specimens in other respects which are 
 so furnished, and refuse to give them up ; and since it is found 
 in practice that the time allotted for judging is not enough to 
 detect fraud in very many cases ; — from all these considera- 
 
Chap, v.] The Judging of Brahmas. 1 39 
 
 tlons it appears that absolute disqualification has not only 
 missed its sole possible end, but has actually produced serious 
 evils. We cannot resist the conclusion that under these circum- 
 stances the dictum of The Standard should be again regarded 
 as the rule of judging, and that vulture-hocks should be 
 considered " objectionable, but not a disqualification ; " that 
 is, that the hock should weigh sensibly against a bird ; but 
 that a specimen of marked superiority in every other point 
 should not be disqualified, but be judged as a whole. We 
 object to the hock ourselves as most unsightly, but this 
 conclusion is forced upon us ; we believe it is becoming the 
 conviction of many judges themselves ; and we appeal to 
 them, as having studieS this particular fowl with ever- 
 increasing interest for several years, to hasten by their 
 decisions and all other means in their power the general 
 adoption of such a rule. 
 
 In our opinion vulture-hocks should have the value of 3 or 
 4 points against a cock, and 2 or 3 points against a hen. Less 
 than this would not attain the desirable end of discouraging 
 the hock as much as possible ; while more would still hold out 
 temptation to fraudulent proceedings, and amount in practice 
 to the disqualification which has wrought such evil effects. 
 
 We have frequently seen Brahma cockerels much plucked 
 about the tails. This is usually done to produce the effect of 
 the Cochin tail, which so many seem ignorantly to aim after ; 
 and the effect is always bad — far worse than nature — to any- 
 one who understands the fowl. We need not say that this or 
 any other fraudulent proceeding should subject a pen to 
 instant and ignominious disqualification. 
 
140 The Judging of Brahmas. [Chap. V. 
 
 Finally, we would repeat that there has been of late an 
 increasing tendency to show birds too fat. All large breeds 
 are subject to this evil; and years ago, when it was even 
 more prevalent than now, Mr. Hewitt did good service by 
 passing over in a marked manner several over-fattened pens, 
 and thereby discouraging the practice of feeding show fowls 
 to the highest possible point, to their utter ruin. Again, how- 
 ever, the same vicious system appears to be gradually creeping 
 in ; and as the practice is really dishonest, it should be 
 checked as far as possible by never awarding prizes to pens 
 which evidently carry more fat than is consistent with real 
 health and condition. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 ORIGIN OF BR AH MAS. 
 
 In our first chapter we examined as fully as was then possible 
 into the various evidence regarding the first appearance of 
 the Brahma fowl ; and from exhaustive analysis were com- 
 pelled to believe that the only account which was consistent 
 both with the facts and with itself, was that by Mr. Virgil 
 Cornish, of Connecticut, which was seen to be corroborated 
 in every possible way. We are glad at the very last 
 moment to be able to add testimony which must be con- 
 sidered decisive. 
 
 While the latter pages of this work were preparing for the 
 press we received a letter from Col. Mason C. Weld, widely 
 known in the United States as one of the editors of the 
 American Agriculturist, and with whom we had had previous 
 friendly communication, covering a short note to him (dated 
 Nov. 3rd, 1869) from Mr. Cornish, in reply to one of his own. 
 The occasion of this note was the perusal of a proof sheet of 
 our first chapter, which Col. Weld had read with interest, not 
 only as a Brahma fancier, but as an old friend of Mr. Cornish. 
 On learning the latter fact we begged of the colonel to 
 procure some fuller particulars ; but he had anticipated the 
 
142 Appendix. [Origin of Brahmas, 
 
 request, and already "fired off at his old friend" a whole 
 string of questions on the subject. Late in the same month, 
 therefore, we received the following letters : — 
 
 New York, November nth, 1869. 
 
 My DEAR Sir, — ^I transmit to you another letter from Mr. Cornish, which will 
 I doubt not interest you much. 
 
 There is clearly no room for suspicion of any statement he makes ; besides, no 
 one who knows the man would question his accuracy. 
 
 It is clear that we owe it to him alone that we now have this noblest and purest 
 of the Asiatic breeds. 
 
 Hatch would have allowed them to pass for Grey Chittagongs, and they would 
 of course have been lost. Mr. C.'s presence in Boston prevented this ; and by his 
 •efforts and testimony, the Boston special committee were led to a correct decision, 
 which has year by year ever since been confirmed by intelligent breeders and 
 poultry sodeties. 
 
 Though I may have succeeded only in confirming your decisions as to where the 
 Brahmas came firom, I trust I have elicited from my old friend some valuable 
 bits of history. 
 
 With highest esteem, truly yours, 
 Mr. Lewis Wright MASON C. WELD. 
 
 Enclosed was Mr. Cornish's letter, which we now give : — 
 
 New Britain (Connecticut, U.S.) 
 
 November gth, 1869. 
 Mason C. Weld, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have your letter of 5th, I give below all the fects relating to 
 the early history of the Brahma Pootra fowls I can call to mind at this late day. 
 At an earlier day I could have given a history of these fowls more satlsfectory to 
 myself, i.e. more fiilly than I can now ; nevertheless so fer as it goes the truth of 
 it cannot be questioned. I will at once answer your questions. 
 
 1st — Mr. Chamberlain's Christian name is Nelson H. 
 
 2nd. — ^The sailor's name I never made note of, and cannot'give it 
 
 3rd. — The ship arrived in New York in September, 1846. The first brood 
 eame out in May, 1847. I purchased the most of that brood in August, and the 
 •old pair the April following. 
 
Origin of Brahmas.] Appendix. 1 43; 
 
 4th. — The name of the port from which the ship sailed with the fowls on 
 board is Luckipoor. This port is up from the mouth of the Brahma Pootra 
 river, in India. The name of the ship I cannot give, neither can I give the 
 name of the captain. Did not at the time think it of importance, and made no 
 record of it. 
 
 Sth.— The Brahmas were first exhibited in Boston by Mr. Hatch, of' Hampton, 
 Conn., under the name of Grey Chittagongs, in 1850. I declined exhibiting mine- 
 at that time : I believed them to be a breed different from the Chittagong, and 
 preferred to accumulate stock and test them further before bringing them out 
 publicly. 
 
 6th.— I attended the exhibition at Boston, and contended that they differed from 
 the Chittagongs, and should pass under a different name. A committee was 
 appointed and the name Brahma Pootra given ; it being the name of the great 
 river from the banks of which they came. The name was then established. 
 
 7th. — Weight of cocks, fiiU-sized, 12 to 14 lbs. ; cocks, 6 to 7 months, 9 to 10 lbs. 
 Hens when first introduced 9 to 10 lbs. 
 
 8th. — I did notice the "pea-comb" on the first birds. It was smaU. It was- 
 not so with aU, and yet it appeared different from the comb of the Chittagong. 
 
 9th. — There was no degeneracy in the birds of my breeding. I had some 
 specimens larger than the imported birds. I sold no birds until December, 1850. 
 I sold at first at 12 dols. per pair, and soon after from 15 dols. to 50 dols. per- 
 pair. The price went up as the fowls became better known, and recognized as a 
 distinct breed. 
 
 loth. — I bred them eight years, when my health failed, and I was obliged to- 
 leave all care for a time. 
 
 Ilth. — There was u tendency to throw dark chickens, but a greater tendency to- 
 become lighter, and yet not white like the White Dorking. All breeds of fowls 
 having dark and light feathers can be varied either way to darker or lighter by 
 choosing always the darkest or the lightest for breeders. If your stock of 
 Brahmas are pure and they are allowed to breed together promiscuously, the varia- 
 tion in color will be slight. I never bred to either extreme. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 VIRGIL CORNISH. 
 
 This testimony, so full and explicit, must be considered 
 finally to settle the question, especially when the character of 
 the parties is concerned. Burnham never pretended to breed 
 Brahmas till several years later than we here find the pure 
 
144 Appendix. [Origin of Brahmas. 
 
 strain well established in the country ; and the judgment of a 
 competent committee on the spot, in 1850, when all the 
 •details could be ascertained, would alone be sufficient, were 
 the personal evidence now produced even wanting. Mr. 
 •Cornish's direct and explicit testimony is, however, the 
 strongest portion of the case ; and will we trust now set this 
 long-vexed question at rest. 
 
 It will be observed by scientific breeders, that the original 
 importation being now determined so early as 1846, greatly 
 diminishes the difficulty of accounting for the Dark strains, 
 allowing indeed ample time for their production by simple 
 selection in the hands of those breeders who fancied the Dark 
 tint. Since our first pages were written, we have met with 
 other facts needless to enumerate here, which convince us that 
 the two varieties are still capable of transmutation ; and that 
 while it is possible the " Dark " birds which came over in the 
 same ship with those here recorded may also have been 
 Brahmas, there is not the slightest reason to question that 
 both may have been derived from the one stock introduced 
 into Connecticut by Mr. Chamberlain, and afterwards fostered 
 .by Mr. Cornish and Dr. Bennett. 
 
 J. Wright & Co., Printers, 10 and 11, Stephen Street, Bristol. 
 
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