Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-22

All writers agree on the original home
of the Ancona The first history we have
of this remarkable breed is from Ancona,
which is a large town of Italy on the
Adratic sea. 1874 miles northeast of Rome
1t is noted for its fine harbor adapted for
building and repairing ships 1t is said
to have the finest marble arch in the
world. Last but not least, 1t is noted
as being the home of this great breed
of fowls About half decade before this
town became a part of the Italian king
dom. Anconas were first introduced into
England, in the year 1852, where they
have gained great prominence. In about
1890 they were imported into America.
They have made wonderful progress
against the strong competition of other
breeds.
The origin of the Aneona is not known
definitely and there is difference Of
opinion. on this subject Some claim one
thing and some another. Most breeders
agree that they have Black Leghorn- blood,
To the average breeder It matters little
discuss this matter. 1t is results that
count. and it is their remarkable qualities
we wish to discuss.
Color of the Birds.
Their feathers are black with white
tip. The ideal feather must be of green
sh sheen with a Y shaped white tip with
dark undercolor, the white portion being
clear and distinct. The defective points
most common have been white feathers
in tail and wings with light undercolor
BY scientific breeding these have been
greatly reduced in many of the better
focks. In fact, splendid birds with dark
undercolor, dark wings and tail are be
coming quite common at the largest
shows In these specimens the predomi-
nant fault is the lack of nothing In some
parts of the body. generally on the back
As in all black varieties purple barring
is found, and is Objectionable The beak
should be yellow with black or dark brown
shadings The iris of the eye is bright
orange red with a hazel pupil The face
and wattles are a bright red, with the
face free from white. Ear-lobes are white
or creamy white. although some red is
found in the ear-lobes of some of the
birds in nearly all fiocks. The Engi
breeders favor yellow notified legs The
American Standard calls for yellow or
yellow mottled In some focks where
good dark birds are found. have noticed
that the nothing ION the legs is a little
uneven and a trfe dark. but have seen
some very handsome dark birds with ele-
CANT yellow legs, which is feature much
desired
Shape of Standard Anconas.
Anconas belong to the Mediterranean
class and are of two varieties, Rose and
Single Comb, the only difference between
the two being in the style of comb
III L. IL,
erect in carriage His neck is long and
nicely arched while the females is me-
dunn long and carried well up The
breast is full, broad and carried well up
ward The males tail is fun and carried
low while the females tail is neat and
carried well out. The proper angle has
been hard for the majority of breeders
to obtain. The inclination has been for
tails to stand too erect. This Is especial
y true of the males; in fact their high
tails bordered on the dreaded squirrel
tail" [ am glad to say that this has
yielded, like other faults, TO skilful breed
ing We now have many beautiful males
as well as females, with tails at an angle
of about As degrees which is considered
ideal The English fancier has been
breeding a comb with five to seven SIERRA
lions, the blade following the lines OF the
neck. on this point the American breed
ers differ more than any other, The ideal
comb in this country has five serrations
with the blade leaving the neck at the
head and curVing upward
Something of Their Habits.
You ask me what are their faults? We
know all breeds have their faults, and
Anconas are not without theirs. Their
only fault Is their Witness and this trait
has been discussed and dwelt on at such
length by Ancona writer's that it has been
much exaggerated Would you consider
any fowl that can be yarded successfully
with fences five or six feet high very wild
You say NO" have seen dozens Of
Aneona Yards and have not seen one with
fence over six feet high. and many with
lower fences
A doctor in New York state wrote me
on receipt Of some birds that he was sur
prised to find Anconas 50 tame The gen
oral public has a wrong conception of the
wildness Of Anconas do not wish 10
imply that they are tame like Brahmas
but / do wish 20 correct &he general i'm