The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-12
MAKING FEATHERS GROW ON
JAPAN'S LONG-TAILED FOWLS

That the long-tailed fowl was early IN
Japan Is credible from the legend, evil
IDENTIFY OF abysmal antiquity. OF ANA
Terasu, the sun Goddess. who, having
retired into a cavern, to the intense
discomfort Of the world, was nearly en-
ticed out again by the Growing OF a
lOng-tailed cock-to remind her. no
doubt, that IT was her usual hour to APP
pear Another somewhat ghostly evil
dence OF the antiquity of the breed has
been cited in the hoo bird, which was
pictured in Japan as early as the eighth
century. This fabulous bird, writes Pro-
fessor Bashford Dean in the Century
Magazine. resembled both pheasant and
peacock but Il has clearly the tail, and
very luXuTiant one. Of the fowls OF Tosa,
in which every feather, as the poetical
japanese remarks, resembles a leaf
blade Of the mystical bamboo.
1t is known chat I'm many kinds OF
birds certain feathers continue 10 grow
until they are lost by moIting, and in all
birds it happens occasionally that a
feather may be molted at an irregular
time. Accordingly, il follows that n
fowls can be secured which are irregu-
lar in their period of Noting. let MS
say, the tail feathers, these will con-
tinue 10 grow longer, for the reason
that they have had a longer time in
which to grow. From this beginning It
is now possible to infer that by q
process Of carefully selecting and breed
tng from those fowls IT. which the molt-
ing season is suppressed in certain parts
of the BODY II would be possible to OBJ
tain a variety in which the tail feath-
ers would ne much longer than in other
fowls
A second but very important part Of
the process consists In feeding the bird
10 the maximum degree. in order 10
stimulate the growth Of the feathers. At
the same time. the bird should not be
allowed to disipate it's energy by leading
an active life. or 10 run unnecessary
chances Of breaking the constantly
growing feathers. Thus learned from
the fanciers at TOsa that II is custom
airy TO conhne the birds ia relatively
small cages and 10 feed them often and
with peculiar food. Details OF the latter
was unable TO secure, although certain
hints were given me as 10 the Tirtues of
boiled unhusked rice. OF an occasional
scrap Of eel and OF diakon Cgiant radish)
leaf. 1 fancy though, that any kind OF
poultry food may be used But in this
and-f st conclusion. because Il is known
that feathers are subject 10 modification
in various ways dependent upon food
Thus the colors Of the feathers OF Ger
tain parrots have been strikngly
changed by the South Sea Islanders,
who feed the birds upon the fat Of a
peculiar fish And canary birds are
given a reddish color under special con-
ditions. as by the fanclers in the Hartz
mountains.
In many cases. in order to avoid acct
dent 10 the long feathers, each fancier
finds il. I am told. convenient TO coil up
the longest feathers. and wrap and tie
them carefully in soft paper. so that the
bird runs minimum chance OF break
ing them. High perches are emphatical-
~ advocated / have been told not on
the best evidence. however. that IN some
cases the bird is confined i'm tight cage
so that II is not possible for IL 10 shift
it's position. In this cramped way with
the tail hanging down behind, a bird Is
said TO be kept penned up miserably for
periods of months Certain e is that
under favorable conditions the growth
OF the tail feathers can be forced by
the fancioT Under ordinary conditions
q cock whose tail measures FIVE or six
feet viii rarely grow longer feathers.
/ For by active life. il is probable that
a gradual mOulting OF these long feath-
ers takes place. On the other hand.
moulting is more apt TO be suppressed by
the unwholcsOme living OF a bird during
the process Of overlooking. II. accord
! inEly. a cock whose tail feathers are Of
the normal maximum length is taken ia
training by 2 skilled fancier he can. I
am told. stimulate a growth in these
feathers at the rate Of about six inches
| per month.