Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-08-28
BrOIrn Le1hOrIlS.

foathering Clean shanks and short,
thick thighs are distinguishing character
istics of the breed None but Asiatics
are allowed the leg-feathering, and with
them the heavier the feathering the bet
ter. The Leghorus body is 1.-the and
birdlike, whereas the Alsiatics are heavy.
numbering fowls. The LeghOrn moves
with grace and activity, but the Asiatic
waddeS like duck, and there is small
grace and ease attached to the ocomotion
OF duck. Indeed, with but few excep-
tons, the whole European class Of fowls
are easy movers and full Of life aud ac-
tiyity. ... ..
The Poultry World for December,
1873, says of Black Leghorns The first
Improvisation OF this breed from Italy,
regularly bred from, OF which we have
authentic account, was made in 1871
by Mr.. Reed Watson, although stray
specimens of black or very dark fowls
were no doubt brought over at va
rious earlier periods Saunders Domes.
tic Poultry, published in 1866, says :;
There have been several importations Of
the common fowls of Leghorn and vicn-
i,y, made OF late. These birds are of all
colors except black" By which we in
fer that the breed under consideration
was at that time unknown to that author.
Wright makes no mention of any Leg
horns of that character. There are ira
dtions, however, Of several dark or black
hens having been found among the Brown
Leghorns brought to this country at va
rious times since 1858 The FIRST pub.
lished account of Black Leghorus appear
ell as an editorial in the Poultry World.
October, 1872 which says
Mr. Watsons birds show the unmis-
taxable Leghorn form, even to the details
OF the comb and wattless, and are as
thoroughly non sittcrs as any Of our ac-
clima,ed strains. They are very vigorous
and active. The original fowls, three in
number, imported year ago, are now
surrounded by well grown and numer-
Gus family. The old hens have proved
themselves remarkably prolific layers, and
the pullets oflast April are now follow
ing example. 4 brood Of dozen chicks
can be seen, Matched September lst, from
eggs laid by pullets of this stock Matched
after the middle Of April last that is, the
pullets reproduced when less than four
months old"
Among Brown Leghorns of this date
there will creep in some very dark birds
so dark indeed that their purity is
often called into question. The very dark
hens among the Browns are almost inva.
iably unexcelled layers. They, however,
should no; be too dark The brown and
steel bars on the wings Of the cock should
be clear and distinct, and the edging Of
brown on the wing primaries perfect,
otherwise the purity Of the bird is ques-
tionable. From the imperfect specimens
no doubt have sprung the Black Leghorn,
A cross between the Black Spanish and
Brown Leghorn produces hens nearly
fac simile TO Black Leghsrn. The leg
coloring is exactly the same, being q
dark slate or black ground, spread over
the dirty yellow, giving the shanks soiled
appearance. The leg, or rather its black
coloring. is pretty sure indication Of the
breed and when we discover a mixture
Of yellow and black, or yellow and slate,
producing tawny complexion to the
leg, Que may be sure of cross. The
leg Of the dark Leghorns among the Brown
varieties are a bright yellow, and they
possess the perfect hackle, regularly pen
ciIed and shaded, both oB-the cock and
the hen. If the breed was made in Leg
horn, it possesses Spanish blood.
With the Brown, a cross is not so
readily managed. Their plumage is a
delicate point that will not bear hamper
ing with. Separate single Brown Leg
horn feather from its fellows, and pluck
it from the body of living, well plu-
mayed bird and mark various and many
tracing lines over the web Of the feather,
and the delicate mixture Of colors The
shaft ofthe feather all over the body Of
the hen is bright salmon. The ground
Of the feather is soft brown, regularly
splashed and traced with black, except on
the breast, which is salmon all over-the
color running well down the body, and
shading off to ash on the thighs.