UMASS/AMHERST 
 
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 rVI^iWM^tlMI 
 
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LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 1 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS 
 AGRICULTURAL 
 COLLEGE " 
 
 NO. 
 
 T^A 10* 
 
 SOURCE gp 
 
 489 
 H6H3 
 
 
This book may be kept out 
 
 TWO WEEKS 
 
 only, and is subject to a fine of TWO 
 CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on 
 the dav indicated below. 
 
 DBe-Tims' 
 
 CARD 
 
THE 
 
 MINORCA FOWL 
 
 T. H. HARRISON. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 THE FANCIERS' GAZETTE, LIMITED, 
 
 54 to 57, IMPERIAL BUILDINGS, LUDGATE CIRCUS, 
 
 London, E.G. 
 
 1893. 
 
4> 3 4, -S" 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Pbeface 
 
 PAGE 
 
 5 
 
 Origin and Histoby •. 
 
 9 
 
 Qualities 
 
 U 
 
 Points and Chaeacteristics 
 
 19 
 
 Selection of Stock 
 
 24 
 
 White Minoecas ... 
 
 28 
 
 Mating 
 
 30 
 
 Breeding, Hatching and Rearing Minorcas... 
 
 33 
 
 Exhibiting ... 
 
 38 
 
 General Management 
 
 41 
 
 The Minorca Question ... 
 
 44 
 
 Technical Tbbms ... 
 
 78 
 
 ^t''^^ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 During the past twenty years there has been an mimense increase 
 in the number of fanciers of the Minorca. Its grand qualities as a 
 layer, its sombre plumage, its suitability for the close confinement 
 of a town run as well as for the free range of the country, have 
 made it a favourite wherever introduced. This increase in popu- 
 larity has led to frequent demands for information on the history, 
 characteristics and management of the breed. Poultry books 
 before the public afford little assistance, and constant enquiries are 
 made for a work devoted to the Minorca. I have waited long, 
 hoping that some more competent hand would fill the breach, but 
 as no one has come forward I have tried in the following way to 
 supply what is wanted. The remarks are mostly personal ex- 
 periences gained during an acquaintance of many years, and though 
 I do not profess to offer instruction to those already initiated, I 
 hope that even they may cull something useful, and may find some- 
 thing to commend. In setting forth the facts herein, I have to 
 offer my sincere thanks to many well-known fanciers, especially 
 to Messrs. Physick, Glanfield Peter, Harwood, Pitts, and Stafford, 
 for many valuable hints, and my thanks are also accorded to the 
 Editor of the Stock-Keepek for so kindly placing at my disposal 
 any " material " he had. In launching this little work into the 
 world, I sincerely hope that any faults may be mercifully considered, 
 and any suggestions for improvement in a subsequent edition will be 
 gladly welcomed by 
 
 T. H. Hareison. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 
 Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/minorcafowlOOharr 
 
BLACK MINOEOA COCKEREL. 
 
 " THE PREMIER." 
 
 Bred by and tJte Property of Messrs. Mooridof, and Garlick, winner of 1st and 
 Cup, Crystal Palace ; 1st and Cup, Carlisle ; 1st and Medal, Scottish 
 Minorca'Club Show, Dumfries, 1892. 
 
THE MINORCA FOWL. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 OEIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 Theke is some coDsiderable doubt and obscurity as to the exact 
 origin of the Minorca. Some maintain that it is a sub-variety of 
 the Spanish, bred to perfection through many generations. Others 
 stoutly affirm that it is the parent of the Spanish, and in this 
 opinion I agree. I am quite aware that this is contentious ground, 
 but I think that careful consideration will convince most persons 
 that this is probably correct. I have made some inquiry, but 
 am not able to find that in any country bordering on the Mediter- 
 ranean there is a race of fowls with a face like Spanish. As is 
 well known, the best Spanish were found in the neighbourhood of 
 Bristol, where they had been carefully bred for years. Their ad- 
 mirers were most enthusiastic, and small shows were frequently 
 held at which the birds were exhibited. The fame of the Spanish 
 spread rapidly; many fanciers "took them up," and they became 
 popular, whilst the Minorca fanciers were to some extent in a state 
 of lethargy, except perhaps in one or two districts. Those who 
 have had a lengthened experience with Minorcas know how com- 
 paratively easy it is to produce birds with a large white lobe, and 
 they are aware when this has been obtained how difficult it is to 
 prevent the white from spreading over the face. Thus it will be 
 seen that in course of time the white face of the Spanish may be 
 produced and improved by careful breeding and selection. It is 
 also well known that the great difficulty in breeding Spanish is 
 to produce and maintain the fine quality of white, which easily 
 
 1 
 
10 
 
 becomes streaked with red, and — if great judgment and care are not 
 exercised — ultimately reverts to comparatively small lobes. I am 
 aware that the carriage of the Spanish is more stilty than that 
 of the Minorca, but let me ask breeders to look back for ten years, 
 and they will note a very great alteration in the carriage of the 
 Minorca itself. From a short-legged breed they have developed into 
 a tall one, not unlike the Spanish of twenty years ago. Ordinary 
 English people, not familiar with the breeds of poultry, had heard 
 of the great laying powers of Spanish, and knew that they were 
 black in plumage. It was not an uncommon thing to hear casual 
 visitors at shows remark when passing Minorca pens, " What 
 fine Spanish ! " and even in these days one may occasionally 
 hear such words — in fact, many look upon all black-plumaged birds 
 as " Spanish." Which of these opinions is correct is really of little 
 importance, and will probably never be satisfactorily settled. 
 
 History. — Fowls of the Minorca type are to be found in nearly 
 all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and on many of the 
 islands off the coasts, but, like the Leghorns in Italy, these birds 
 are much smaller than those found in England. The earliest records 
 I can trace of the Minorca in England are dated 1834, at which 
 date numbers of them were found in the western districts of Eng- 
 land. The breed was undoubtedly introduced into this country by 
 merchants and sailors trading between the Balearic Islands and the 
 ports of Bristol, Devonport and Plymouth. Mr. Lewis Wright 
 obtained some information upon the history of the breed from Mr. 
 Leworthy, an old fancier at Barnstaple. The remarks are of 
 interest, and I quote them from the " Illustrated Book of Poultry " 
 as follows : — " There is more evidence than usual for the source of 
 this breed being truly represented in its name. Mr. Leworthy told 
 us that Mr. Willis, a friend of his, had seen them in Minorca, and 
 the Kev. Thomas Cox, of Castle Gary, informs us on the direct 
 authority of Sir Thomas Ackland, that his father, the former baronet, 
 undoubtedly brought some from that island dii-ect to England in 
 1834 or 1835, and kept them for years at Holnicote. It is doubtful 
 if the fowl was not already known in the West of England, but 
 there is no doubt that at least one strain did diverge from this 
 ascertained importation, and the breed was for years known and 
 prized in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, before known elsewhere. 
 Through Bristol, it gradually spread further." Mr. Harwood has 
 criven me some information on the history which wiU carry us back 
 
11 
 
 many years. He informs me that in 1876, whilst living at Tiverton, 
 Mr. Cosway, an old butcher, came to see his Minorcas. On being 
 shown the birds he became very much excited and exclaimed, "J 
 had 'um when a nipper ; I had a pictur' of 'um painted by Mr. 
 Capern." From this picture Mr. Harwood obtained photographs. 
 At the present time there is living at Tiverton Mr. W. Beard, aged 
 nearly 90 years. He states there were plenty of Minorcas to be 
 found in that district when he was a boy, and they were not un- 
 common in the last century. He adds that the birds were then 
 large, heavy and grand layers. Mr. Harwood tells me that there is 
 a strong opinion that these birds were brought to the Western 
 districts through prisoners of war, which at different times were 
 sent there. During the French and Spanish wars at the end of 
 last, and at the beginning of this century numbers of prisoners were 
 interned at places in England. Many of these prisoners remained 
 after peace was proclaimed, and they would appear to have had 
 birds sent them from their homes in France and Spain. Mr. 
 Harwood, when at Plymouth in 1870, got into conversation with 
 a foreign sailor who spoke of Minorcas, and who said he always 
 had a good look at them, as they put him in mind of home. That 
 they had them in his country of three colours, blue, white and 
 black, much coarser in body, and the combs of the cocks were cleft 
 so that a portion hung down on each side of the head. Mr. 
 Leworthy, whose name has already been mentioned, was well known 
 throughout the west for his strain of Minorcas, and Mr. Harwood 
 some little time since gave us in " Poultry" an account of his visit 
 to Barnstaple, from which I take the following : "I was told there 
 lived at Barnstaple a Mr. Leworthy, the real importer of Minorcas. 
 A friend promised to drive me to Bampton, that was seven miles, but 
 it rained and he would not go. Good Minorcas must be fetched, so 
 off I walked to Dulverton, fourteen miles, took train to Barnstaple, 
 saw Mr. Leworthy, had a chat, and carried away a pair of pullets." 
 Mr. Leworthy no doubt imported several lots of these birds at 
 different times, and Mr. Harwood made numerous pilgrimages to 
 Barnstaple to see them and to secure some if possible, but they 
 were small and of the Leghorn type. The Eev. Cruwys in the 
 middle of the century was a noted breeder of Black Game near 
 Tiverton, and he used the Minorcas occasionally. To this day many 
 Minorcas that hail from Tiverton and its neighbourhood are 
 celebrated for a red iris to their eye and good red faces with a 
 " gipsy" tinge. 
 
12 
 
 Mr. Physick, of Exeter, tells me that he had a conversation 
 with the late Mr. Eoscorla, an ardent and well-known fancier in 
 Cornwall, about twenty years ago, who stated that he remembered 
 his father saying he had known and kept the breed for forty years 
 prior to 1870. This gentleman, Mr. Eoscorla, had some very large 
 birds, and was often taxed with having infused foreign blood into his 
 strain, but he would never admit it. However, his strain had some 
 distinctive characteristics peculiar to themselves, and there are 
 evidences that the tinted egg may be traced to this strain. The 
 late Mr. Prinn, of Exeter, kept them as far back as 1855, and 
 he stated to Mr. Physick that they were then great, massive birds, 
 very short in legs, with splendid faces, very large deeply serrated 
 combs, long narrow lobes, and plumage as black as crows. He 
 remarked also that white faces were unknown, and that if by 
 any chance a speck of white appeared on a bird it was at once 
 killed. Mr. Croot, of Wellington ; Mr. Williams, of Plymouth ; 
 Messrs. Blackwell and Jeffries, and Eev. Watson — all bred Minorcas 
 in times past, and were persistent in their efforts to make their 
 birds popular. Some of the oldest and most persistent of these 
 admirers are still alive, and take as much interest as ever in the 
 breed. 
 
 For years there were no classes for Minorcas at many of the 
 most important shows outside the Western Counties of England, 
 but the extension of the press and the invention of railways 
 made knowledge of the breed more common, and provided an easier 
 means of distribution. The valuable properties the fowls possessed 
 became known. Enthusiastic admirers were never tired of extolling 
 the virtues of their stock. In later times there was always to be 
 found a pen or two of Minorcas in the Variety Class at shows ; 
 interest in the breed became excited, and when once known as 
 layers were approved. Their fame extended to all parts of the 
 empire, and rapidly "caught on" in America. In the west 
 country no show would be considered complete unless there was 
 a class or two for Minorcas, and it was no uncommon thing to find 
 as many as fifty to one hundred birds in a class. I remember at 
 Plymouth, on one occasion, Mr. Harwood winning first and cup 
 in a show of 113 exhibits. A class was provided at Birmingham 
 in 1882, but few exhibits were secured. At the Palace show since 
 1882 classes have been provided, but in the earlier days they wei-e 
 considered of minor importance, and the prize money was not very 
 
13 
 
 large. I give below a statement of exhibits at the Palace shows 
 since 1882, which will serve as a capital illustration of the progress 
 made by the breed. 
 
 Year .. .. 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 
 Classes provided 2244468666 
 
 Numbsrs of exhibits 32 70 98 89 121 142 187 136 110 123 
 
 The Minorca Club Show was held at Liverpool in 1891, and in 
 one class there were eighty-four pullets. At the Club show in 1892, 
 held at Bridgwater, there were 270 Minorcas exhibited. The Club 
 was established in 1886, and Mr. A. G. Pitts was elected president, 
 with Mr. Stafford as secretary. This helped to increase the popu- 
 larity of the breed, and no doubt did much to increase the number 
 of exhibits at the Palace that year. The Club has drawn up and 
 formulated a " Standard of Perfection," and has greatly assisted in 
 disseminating a knowledge of the Minorca. I may be permitted 
 here to urge all my readers to join the Club ; the subscription is 
 merely a nominal sum of half-a-crown a year, with an entrance fee 
 of five shillings. Mr. P. Stafford, Blmsleigh Hall, Leicester, will 
 be glad to receive the names of intending members, and will give all 
 information. 
 
 Portraits of a trio of Minorcas painted in 1810, a^id referred to 
 on page 11. 
 
14 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 QUALITIES. 
 
 The quality upon which the Minorca has founded its world-wide 
 reputation is that of being a splendid layer. Personally I have 
 never taken an exact record of the numbers of eggs laid by any 
 particular hen, but during my residence in the Isle of Wight I had 
 a pen of eight hens and pullets, which from January to June pro- 
 duced an average of forty eggs per week. This result was published 
 in the Bazaar newspaper amongst some correspondence in 1886 or 
 1887. Several well-known fanciers have recorded the number of 
 eggs laid by certain birds. Mr. Hopkins gives an average of 226 
 eggs from four pens. Mr. Physick gives 184 eggs as an average 
 from seven hens (not pens, as in "Wright's book). Mr. Amesbury 
 recorded 200 eggs from one hen when she was four years old. The 
 latter I have every reason to know is correct, for I have one of her 
 daughters, and she is a splendid layer of large eggs. I think there 
 is little doubt but that many of the Minorcas of to-day are behind 
 those of former times in the number of eggs laid. The great rage of 
 the present day is to put into the show pen a bird likely to win a 
 prize, hence alien blood has been imported at one time or another, 
 sometimes with one object, sometimes with another. Those who 
 have had a long experience with Minorcas, and who closely examine 
 many of the present-day birds will be able to trace in them a cross 
 of Langshan blood. This no doubt was introduced to give increased 
 size, to obtain a more brilliant colour, and to improve the face. It 
 will be apparent in certain directions, e.g., the web between the 
 toes will be found to be of a pinky colour, which often extends up the 
 outside of the leg. The crow of a true Minorca is short, sharp and 
 piercing, whilst that of the improved (?) birds is generally long and 
 drawling. The eggs of Minorcas are as a rule very large, of a 
 delicate flavour, and pure white. Suspicion of impurity must always 
 fall upon those birds which lay a tinted egg. Early development 
 
15 
 
 is one of the good qualities these birds possess. It is no uncommon 
 thing to find well-fed pullets commence laying at five months old, 
 and many instances are on record in which they have begun at an 
 earlier date. There is a general idea abroad that Minorcas are not 
 winter layers, but this is incorrect. If warmly housed, well fed, 
 and sheltered from cold and wet they may be depended upon at all 
 seasons for eggs. They are, as a rule, small eaters. I tried a pen 
 of six Minorcas against an equal number of Plymouth Eocks, and ^p 
 another of Langshans, all with the same kind of food, exactly under 
 the same conditions, and at the same time of the year. The Eocks 
 and Langshans consumed about one-third more food than the 
 Minorcas, and laid one-third less eggs. Minorcas, it is well known, 
 are non-sitters, and to those who keep poultry solely for eggs, such a 
 quality is of importance. It will sometimes happen, however, that a 
 bird will have a desire to sit. In such an event the greatest difficulty 
 will be experienced in repressing this wish. I have an idea that it is 
 becoming more prevalent, and I think that lovers of the pure stock 
 should do all they can to eradicate it. The Minorca should be what 
 it is intended, a non-sitting breed, and many hold the opinion that 
 all birds who evince a desire to sit are showing the effects of some 
 cross, near or far. The person who has hens amongst his stock that 
 show any wish to sit should see that desire gratified, and the bird 
 should sit upon the dinner table. The owner of such birds has no 
 right to show such, nor to sell eggs from them, because in his own 
 mind he does not like them, and feels conscious that they possess 
 tainted blood. Minorcas are remarkably good foragers, and if given 
 their liberty will work hard to secure a large portion of their own 
 living. Another good trait in them is their suitability for close con- 
 finement. If well fed and their wants carefully attended to they will 
 do almost as well in a small run or a back yard in a crowded town 
 as if upon a grass rmi in the country. This I can vouch for from 
 actual experience. One of the best pullets I ever bred was reared 
 in a run above another run, the brood were never upon the solid 
 earth, nor was this pullet ever out of her run until she was taken to 
 a show, when she won first prize in a large class of twenty-nine hens, 
 special for the best hen, special for the best Minorca, and Poultry 
 Club Medal for the best bird in the show, 250 exhibits competing 
 and Mr. Comyns judging. This, together with their splendid laying 
 qualities, has done more to popularise the breed than almost any- 
 thing else. Many of the best Minorca fanciers of our time are 
 
16 
 
 working men, who have but httle space, but who take an intense 
 pride in their stock. 
 
 A further good qaaUty they own is their suitabihty for crossing 
 with nearly all other breeds to improve the laying qualities. A 
 Minorca cock used withLangshan, Brahma, Plymouth Eock, Houdan, 
 Dorking, or Game hens will produce some remarkably useful stock, 
 good layers and good table birds. The Minorca itself is not generally 
 considered to be a good table bird, and this is correct if it be judged 
 by the standard of Indian Game, Dorkings, &c. The flesh is close, 
 white, juicy, and of fine flavour. A well-fatted bird nicely prepared 
 for table is by no means to be despised, being very toothsome and 
 very much like turkey in flavour. Chickens from a cross with Game 
 are very plump and very fine eating. The bones and offal of 
 Minorcas are not abundant, and compare favourably in this respect 
 with larger breeds. The shape and general appearance is pleasing, 
 whilst the black (or white) plumage, brilliant red combs and wattles, 
 adorned with the pure white lobes, make it an attractive bird. Its 
 one colour makes it in that particular a comparatively easy bird to 
 breed, but the very keen competition at nearly every show makes it 
 equally difficult to breed a bird good enough to win a first prize. 
 The true fancier must never lose sight of the chief quality of the 
 breed, and though he may desire to win prizes he should always 
 make diligent inquiry as to the laying powers of the strain he selects. 
 
A good type of comb. 
 
 Too heavy a comb. 
 
 A mean comb. 
 
 A badly falling comb. 
 
19 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 POINTS AND CHAEAGTERISTICS. 
 
 FoK some time before the advent of the Minorca Club there had 
 been discussions and suggestions as to the various "points" 
 necessary to make up a good Minorca. The first work of the 
 Club, when established, was to consider and draw up a " Standard 
 of Perfection" that should be a guide to breeders to try to produce, 
 and there is Httle doubt but that every effort has been put forth to 
 work to this scale. Let us first consider the cock. His beak 
 should be fairly long, not too straight, and of a dark horn colour 
 throughout, though one occasionally meets with a good bird more 
 or less light in colour round the edges of the beak. The head 
 should be long and broad enough to carry a good base of comb. 
 I am not altogether sure that the term " long " is here a good one. 
 We do not want a head approaching in length anything like that of 
 Game, nor in breadth like the Malay or Aseel. The comb is one 
 of the chief " fancy points" of the breed, and there is ample scope 
 for the ingenuity of the fancier to produce one well up to require- 
 ments. It must be single, large, evenly and deeply serrated, with 
 five to seven spikes ; the shape of these spikes is important. In 
 some specimens they are not deep enough, and are rounded so that 
 they look not unlike pegs let into the blade or body of the comb ; 
 such must be avoided. The spike should be about equal in depth 
 to the blade of the comb, and each spike should be broad at the 
 base, or wedge shaped, tapering from the bottom upwards. The 
 comb must be perfectly upright, and firmly set on the head with a 
 good broad base, straight in front and free from any twist, thumb 
 marks, or hollows at the side. Here are to be found the chief 
 weaknesses. A comb otherwise good will sometimes have an ugly 
 twist in front over the beak ; these twists are often caused by the 
 comb extending too far over the front of the beak, and when the 
 bird is young, feeding it from a trough which strikes the front of 
 the comb every time it takes a mouthful. Many combs have 
 
20 
 
 hollows, or as they are termed thumb marks, on the side ; these 
 are a source of weakness to the stability, and at any moment may 
 cause the comb to go over to one side or other. The carriage of 
 the comb at the back is equally important, for whilst it is desirable 
 that it should reach well down on the neck, it should not go so far 
 as to touch the feathers, as may be seen in some specimens. There 
 must be no side growths or sprigs ; such are to a great extent an 
 evidence of a cross. The texture of the comb and wattles should be 
 rough, not smooth like those of the Spanish. The colour of the 
 comb, face and wattles, should be a bright blood red. The term 
 coral red is too elastic, and the term dark blood red scarcely ex- 
 presses the exact colour that is desired. The wattles are to be 
 long, thin, pendulous, rounded at the ends, and open. They must 
 not be like the short thick round wattles generally found on the 
 Hamburgh. The colour of the face is a crucial test in deciding the 
 merits of a bird. It might be well to suggest to the Minorca Club 
 a very good motto, " My face is my fortune. Sir," for unless this 
 feature is perfect in colour all other good points sink into insignifi- 
 cance, and do not receive a second scrutiny. No trace of white 
 must appear — not even a line or a spot under the eye. Some strains 
 are very dark in the colour of the face, and these are known as 
 "gipsy" faced birds; they seldom go white. Occasionally we 
 come across a bird whose face is covered with small hairs or 
 feathers. It used to be the practice to extract these feathers, much 
 in the same way that the faces of Spanish are trimmed, but now 
 they are usually shown quite naturally. The earlobe has been a 
 great means of bringing the white face. Formerly the lobes were 
 small elongated patches, which looked as if they were glued to the 
 side of the head, but about ten years ago an agitation was initiated 
 in the press, and an "almond-shaped" lobe was advocated. To 
 Mr. Harwood is due the credit of having invented the phrase 
 " almond lobe," and if readers can refer back to the Stockkeeper 
 and examine its criticism on the Poultry Club's first show at Cam- 
 bridge, they will find the following remarks on the first prize bird : — 
 " We congratulate Mr. Harwood on winning with what he has so 
 persistently advocated, a medium sized almond lobe." Some judges 
 favoured a large open lobe, whilst others preferred a medium sized 
 one. Mr. Dixon has, I believe, always favoured the former, whilst 
 Messrs. Harwood, Tebay, Hewitt, and Nicholls were very strong in 
 their support of the latter. Consequently, there were birds bred 
 
21 
 
 with lobes of both types, and such may still be seen in the show 
 pens. 
 
 The Minorca Club's standard is given below. There has been 
 established during the past year a Club in London to further 
 the interests of the Minorca. This Club has been considering the 
 standard of the Minorca Club, and with a view to make that 
 standard a little clearer has added certain words, and at the same 
 time has embodied the points of colour with the general charac- 
 teristics. These alterations or additions are not yet in type, and I 
 give them from notes made during discussion. They are noted 
 below in italics. 
 
 MINOECA STANDAED OF PEEFECTION. 
 
 Geneeal Chakacteeistics. 
 
 COCK. 
 
 Beah. — Fairly long, but stout [dark Jiorn colour'] . 
 
 Head. — Long and broad, so as to carry comb quite erect. 
 
 Gomh. — Single, large, evenly serrated, perfectly upright, firmly 
 set on head, straight in front, free from any twist or thumb mark 
 reaching well to the back of the head, moderately rough in texture, 
 free from any side sprigs [not too far over the front of leak, spikes 
 equal to the blade in depth, arching well over hut not touching the 
 neck hackle at the hack, five to seven spikes, coral red] . 
 
 Wattles. — Long, rounded at the ends [op)en, coral red]. 
 
 Face. — Fine in quality, as free from feathers or hairs as possible, 
 and not showing any white [coral red, ahsolutely devoid of white]. 
 
 Earlohe. — Medium in size, almond-shaped, smooth, flat, fitting 
 close to the head [jncre white in colour]. 
 
 Eye. — Full, bright and expressive [dark] . 
 
 Neck. — Long, nicely arched, with flowing hackle. 
 
 Body. — Broad at shoulder, square, and compact [deep]. 
 
 Back. — Broad, and rather long [and fiat] . 
 
 Wings. — Moderate in length, neat, and fitting close to body [free 
 from tvhite feathers]. 
 
 Breast. — Full and rounded. 
 
 Thighs, Legs and Feet.— Medium length and stout [thighs, 
 medium length and stout ; legs and feet, medium length, hlack or 
 dark horn]. 
 
 Toes. — Four [set loell apart]. 
 
Tail.—Full, sickles long, well arched, and carried well back. 
 
 Size. — Large. 
 
 Carriage. — Upright, graceful. 
 
 Weight. — From 5| lbs. to 8 lbs. 
 
 Plumage [tight and glossy blacJc]. 
 
 HEN. 
 
 'Beak. — Fairly long, but stout [dark horn colour]. 
 
 Head. — Long and broad. 
 
 Comb. — Single, fairly large, evenly serrated, arched, drooping 
 well down over side of face, slightly rough in texture, free from any 
 side sprigs [evenly and deeply serrated, drooping ^vell over the side of 
 face so as not to obscure sight, five to seven sjnkes']. 
 
 Wattles. — Long, rounded at the ends. 
 
 i^ace.^Fine in quality, as free from feathers or hairs as possible, 
 and not showing any white. 
 
 Earlobe. — Medium in size, almond-shaped, smooth, flat, fitting 
 close to the head, rather more rounded than in cock. 
 
 Eye. — Full, bright and expressive. 
 
 Neck. — Long, nicely arched. 
 
 Body. — Broad at shoulder, square and compact [cZeejj]. 
 
 Back. — Broad and rather long [and flat] . 
 
 Wings. — Moderate in length, neat, and fitting close to the body 
 [free from ivhite feathers .] 
 
 Breast. — Full and rounded. 
 
 Thighs, Legs and Feet. — Medium length and stout [thighs, 
 mediiim length and stout ; legs, black or dark slate]. 
 
 Toes. — Four [set tvell apart and straight]. 
 
 Tail. — Full, neat, carried well back [compact]. 
 
 Size. — Large. 
 
 Carriage. — Upright and graceful. 
 
 Weight. — From 5 lbs. to 6g lbs. 
 
 Plumage [tight and glossy black]. 
 
 Colour of Black Minoecas. 
 cock and hen. 
 Beak. — Dark horn colour. 
 Eye. — Dark. 
 
 Comb, Face and Wattles. — Dark blood red. 
 Earlobe. — Pure white. 
 
23 
 
 Legs. — Black, or very dark slate. 
 Plumage. — Glossy black. 
 
 Colour of White Minoecas. 
 Beak.— ^hiie. 
 Eye. — Eed. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles. — Blood red. 
 Earlohe. — Pure white. 
 Legs. — Pinky white. 
 Pkimage. — Glossy white. 
 
 Value of Defects in Judging Minorcas. 
 
 Defects in face — bloated red, coarseness, or too hairy- 
 Bad shape or twisted comb [badly ser7-ated'] 
 Want' of size [10] 
 Wrinkled, folded or stained lobe 
 Defects in colour 
 Want of condition 
 Want of style and symmetry [15] 
 Too light legs, eyes, or beak . . 
 Crooked breastbone 
 
 Points. 
 15 
 15 
 15 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 100 
 
 A Perfect Bird to Count 100 Points. 
 
 Fatal Defects. — White in face ; wry or squirrel-tailed ; feathers on legs; other 
 than single-combed ; coloured plumage, other than black or white in the several 
 varieties ; other than four toes [on each foot] ; legs, other colour than black or 
 slate in black Minorcas, or [pinky'} white in white Minorcas. 
 
24 
 
 CHAPTEK IV. 
 
 SELECTION OF STOCK. 
 
 Some strains have been bred entirely with a view to obtain the best 
 exhibition points. With care and selection birds may be bred 
 equally good for exhibition and for usefulness. There are many 
 ways that a budding fancier may begin with Minorcas. If his 
 pocket be well filled, and he does not mind expense, he may visit 
 shows and purchase birds just as they take his fancy, but this is not 
 always a royal road to success. The prize birds he may buy may not 
 " nick," and their produce may not come up to the standard of their 
 parents. I have in my mind at this moment a fancier who at one 
 of our principal shows gave long prices for a couple of winners, but 
 to the best of my knowledge these birds never produced any- 
 thing nearly equal to the quality of themselves. A second plan still 
 less satisfactory is the stocking a poultry house with birds " picked 
 up " at auction sales. There are occasions when good birds are 
 offered, but as a rule no reliance can be placed upon stock purchased 
 in tbis manner, and which are often sold because the vendor is not 
 thoroughly satisfied with them. The cheapest and best plan in the 
 end will be to purchase a pen of birds direct from a well-known 
 breeder. The price demanded may be a trifle higher than would 
 have to be paid by buying them singly, but it must be borne in mind 
 that the buyer is also purchasing the breeder's experience ; that, in 
 fact, he is being put upon an equality with the seller. If the latter 
 be a reliable, honourable man there is little doubt but tbat this will 
 be the shortest and best method to pursue. A fourth plan is to buy 
 from friends who are known to possess a good strain. In this case 
 a pen of good birds may be obtained for a smaller sum, and the result 
 may be equally satisfactory. If there be accommodation for rearing 
 chickens, a cheap and good plan is to buy a sitting of eggs and hatch 
 them. Here let me offer a word of warning. A breeder cannot 
 
BLACK MINOECA HEN. 
 
27 
 
 afford to lose time and money in getting together a good lot of birds, 
 and then sell their eggs for a small sum. It is therefore quite useless 
 for a person to buy a cheap sitting of eggs, and then to grumble and 
 be disappointed if he does not breed winners from them. There are 
 scores of fanciers who keep good birds and who will supply sittings 
 of reliable eggs the same as they are breeding from themselves at a 
 moderate price. If it be decided to begin with birds, the autumn or 
 winter will be found the best time to get a stock at a reasonable 
 price. In the early autumn many breeders are anxious to dispose 
 of some of their adult stock to make room for chickens, and thus 
 opportunity will offer to secure good adult stock at a reasonable 
 price. In the winter breeders will wish to dispose of some of their 
 young stock, and such may be bought at a moderate cost. If it be 
 decided to rear chickens, the spring will be found the proper time. 
 In concluding this chapter, let me urge upon my readers the im- 
 portance of buying, or breeding, only from birds which are of good 
 quality, strong, healthy, and vigorous. Health and strength of 
 constitution are most necessary to success, and it is an absolute 
 waste of time and money to attempt to breed good birds from sickly, 
 weedy, weak stock. Let us all try to do our share to maintain, or 
 to improve this splendid fowl in which we are so interested. 
 
28 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 WHITE MINOECAS. 
 
 These differ but in colour from the Black Minorcas, and it is by 
 no means an uncommon thing for White sports to be produced from 
 Blacks. I remember in 1886 buying a pair of birds exhibited by 
 Mr. Dominy at the Palace. They bred three pure white chickens, 
 which I gave to the late Mr. E. W. Wallace, of Arreton, I.W., who 
 passed them on to his brother-in-law. That gentleman bred from 
 them Whites which were Second and V.H.C. at the Palace. Here, 
 then, we have an authentic case of black producing white, and con- 
 tinuing to produce white. Their colour is against them, and they 
 have never been so popular as the blacks, hence they have not been 
 bred with the same care probably. 
 
 From very chickenhood it is necessary to give them protection 
 from the powerful rays of the sun, or their feathers will become 
 tanned. This is not always a convenient thing to do, and many 
 schemes have been devised to give the birds plenty of exercise with- 
 out letting the sun injure the colour of the feathers. Country runs 
 may be thickly planted with trees. Town runs are mostly covered 
 over, and may be shaded by planting trees or creepers in front. 
 Those who have large outhouses may make use of them. Others 
 may make small runs of a light frame work, easily moved from place 
 to place and covered with strong calico. 
 
 Previous to their going to a show it will be necessary to wash 
 white birds. This, again, prevents some persons from keeping them, 
 as they do not know how to wash them, nor do they care to learn. 
 Perhaps a few words on this subject may not be out of place. Two 
 tubs, or ordinary zinc baths should be nearly filled with water, one 
 with warm — about 90° — the other about 50°. Make some lather or 
 soapsuds before putting the bird into the water. Sunhght soap is 
 the very best of its kind that I know for such a purpose. It 
 possesses great cleansing power without being too greasy for the 
 
29 
 
 purpose. Now take the bird in the hand and gently plunge him 
 into the hot water. At the same time rub well under and into the 
 feathers. There is no need to fear that the feathers will break off ; 
 they will easily bend when well wetted. When you think that all 
 the dirt has been removed, carefully look the bird over to see that 
 you have not left the- dirt in patches round the tail, tips of wings, and 
 thighs. If you are satisfied, then rinse off in the other water, which 
 should be slightly tinged with blue. Do not fear to plunge him well 
 into the water time after time until all the soap is removed. A 
 sponge will be of use now to dry o& the water, after which use a 
 soft dry cloth. He should then be put in a clean basket in which 
 you have previously put some fresh straw or hay, and should be put 
 within the influence of a good fire, yet not so close that he will 
 scorch, nor the feathers be drawn nor twisted. The skin of the comb 
 and face will easily blister, so great care must be exercised. 
 
 The legs should receive attention. If the dirt has got under the 
 scales, a pointed match will be found useful to remove it. 
 
30 
 
 CHAPTEE YI. 
 
 MATING. 
 
 The mating of Minorcas to breed exhibition stock is a subject that 
 even to an old hand occasions very careful study. As the bird is of 
 self-coloured plumage it may be thought that it is an easy matter to 
 breed good birds. Eeally it is not so, but this general idea that 
 little care and consideration are necessary causes very much disap- 
 pointment. Thousands of Minorcas are bred every year, and it 
 must be in the knowledge of most of my readers that there are 
 amongst them not more than one or two per cent, of really good 
 birds. Indeed, the production of a good specimen is more often due 
 to accident than to the care with which an owner has mated his 
 breeding pen. Some persons favour the plan of putting up tw^o pens 
 of birds, one to breed cocks and the other to breed pullets. This is 
 a proceeding I do not in any way like. I have never followed it, 
 nor do I consider it necessary in the case of the Minorca. No 
 doubt better results can be obtained in following out such a plan 
 where the birds are of a pencilled plumage, such as Hamburghs, 
 Brahmas, Leghorns, &c. If the owner simply wishes to produce 
 stock solely for eggs then it matters but little about the points of his 
 breeding pen, providing he has assured himself of the general good 
 quality, the purity of every bird, and that each is of a good laying 
 strain. The greater number of my readers will wish to produce 
 stock for exhibition, and I will try to give a few hints likely to be of 
 service in this respect. The standard of perfection must be studied, 
 and with this in mind the breeder must carefully review every bird 
 in his pen. In doing this he must use an impartial as well as a 
 critical eye. He must not look upon his birds with the eye of a 
 fond parent, magnifying their good points and hiding or passing 
 over the weak ones, hoping that such and such may not make much 
 difference. Nature will not be thus tender, therefore the faults of 
 each bird must be as equally weighed as their excellencies. If 
 
^ 
 
 31 
 
 these faults are duly estimated it may be possible to balance them 
 by super- excellence in the particular point on the other side. 
 Having looked carefully over the birds, consider v^ell if any of them 
 do not come up to your ideal. If that be so, do not hesitate to 
 remove them, or at any rate do not breed from them. Let the ideal 
 be to breed birds that shall be lasting, not mushroom birds which 
 grow early ready for the show pen, have a short existence, and 
 then die out as exhibition birds. What we want in Minorcas is 
 to find birds that at two or three years old shall be as good in 
 comb or face as when they are younger. There are one or two well 
 defined rules the breeder should bear in mind. The cock influences 
 the style, colour, and fancy points, whilst the hen chiefly influences 
 the size, shape, style, and head points. The cock selected should be 
 of the highest quality that the breeder's means allow him to obtain. 
 His body should be large without being coarse, and should be well 
 set upon stout dark legs. His thighs should be of medium length, 
 and should be placed so as to balance the body easily. If placed 
 too far back it gives the bird too upright a carriage, somewhat like 
 Game, and often causes him to be what is called squirrel tailed. 
 His comb should be of medium size, broad at the base, and set 
 firmly on the head. This latter point is of more importance than 
 appears at first sight. Many combs are fixed to the head with a 
 thin base, which swells out on the head and appears to be firmer 
 than it really is. These are likely to fail to produce the kind of 
 combs that are wanted. If possible, the comb should be without 
 hollows, thumb marks, or twists, and of course there should be 
 no side sprigs. The serrations are best if evenly and deeply cut, 
 but in my mind this is but of secondary importance, as the hens 
 will remedy any shortcomings in that direction. The lobe should 
 be of good almond shape, white and smooth, like the kid of a new 
 white glove. Do not breed from a bird with a badly creased, folded, 
 or round lobe. The face must be of bright red, " absolutely devoid 
 of white." His plumage should be full, flowing, of a rich deep 
 black, close and tight in texture. His eye should be dark and 
 bright, "bull-eyed," as such are termed, not with a light hazel eye. 
 Now let us consider the style of hen we want with him. 
 
 First, then, to produce pullets, the hen, if of the second season, 
 will be stronger, and produce more robust chickens, her head and 
 comb should be large, hanging gracefully, growing with a good base 
 from the head, coming over the beak for about an inch and then 
 
32 
 
 falling over to the opposite side so as not to obscure the sight of 
 the eye. To produce cocks, the hen of the same age as for pullet 
 breeding, good carriage, as large in body as possible without any 
 coarseness. Her head should be neat, her face clear, and her lobe 
 smooth and well shaped. Her comb should be small, thick, well 
 cut, and well carried. It should spring firmly from the base, and be 
 as evenly and deeply serrated as possible. A hen that has a badly 
 serrated comb is very likely to produce cockerels with poor combs, 
 and, if the hens comb is thin and loose she probably will breed 
 cockerels with hollow, thumb-marked combs. Crooked breast bones 
 should be avoided, for in many cases they are a sign of weakness 
 in the strain, but in this case the breast bone often has a lateral 
 curve. The majority owe this deformity to improper perches, or to 
 being allowed to perch too early. I have already spoken of health 
 and vigour, but I may again be allowed to press home the importance 
 of breeding only from stock of known strength and constitution. 
 The number of hens to be mated with one cock must, to a great 
 extent, be regulated by the time of the year and the objects the 
 breeder has in view. If large strong chickens are desired early in 
 the season, not more than four hens should be put in one pen. If 
 eggs be the sole object, then the number of hens is not of so much 
 importance, and may reach as high as ten or more. I have heard 
 a gentleman say that he bred some of his best layers and most 
 vigorous stock from a pen of thirty hens and one cock. This may 
 be all very well, but it is far too large a number from which to hope 
 to produce exhibition stock, and the fancier will find better results 
 by mating four hens, and then adding one or two more as the 
 weather improves. 
 
33 
 
 CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 BEEBDING, HATCHING AND EEAEING MINOECAS. 
 
 The breeding of exhibition stock is a work upon which there is 
 much difference of opinion as to the means to be employed to arrive 
 at a satisfactory issue. Each prominent exhibitor has a plan of his 
 own which he generally considers superior. One likes early breed- 
 ing, whilst another is not infatuated with very early birds ; a third 
 hkes to use hens in preference to incubators ; whilst a fourth objects 
 to Mr. So and So for in-breeding. The plans of the breeder will 
 in some measure determine the proceedings of the breeding season. 
 If the fancier wishes to exhibit at the early summer shows it will 
 be necessary to mate the birds on or before the 1st of January. The 
 ordinary fancier will find that if he makes up his pens by 1st of 
 February he will be able to get chickens in plenty in March and 
 April. Birds hatched during these months frequently outstrip those 
 that were hatched earlier. I am aware that some persons, young 
 fanciers especially, are eager to see chickens around them, but in 
 this matter they will find it better to be guided by the experience 
 of older fanciers. Miuorcas hatched between the second week of 
 March and the same week in April will, if well cared for, be ready 
 for the Dairy Show. Before attempting to breed chickens it is well 
 to make sure that the stock birds are in good health and condition. 
 This is specially needful in the case of the cock. If attention be 
 not given to this matter a large number of unfertile eggs will be one 
 result, and weakly chickens another. In the early parts of the 
 season the cock should be frequently handled at night, and his crop 
 felt. Some birds are very gallant and attentive, and will not eat 
 until the hens have fed. If, then, the cock be found thin and his crop 
 empty, he should be taken out and fed by himself, giving a small 
 portion of meat as a stimulant. 
 
 We come now to the actual work of hatching the chickens — a 
 
34 
 
 business in which I assume all my readers have had more or less 
 experience. Hatching may be done by means of incubators or by 
 the sitting hen. There is no difference in the result obtained by 
 either method. The chickens are as strong by the one plan as the 
 obher, though some persons think that incubators produce weakly 
 chickens. An incubator is a very valuable acquisition to the " im- 
 pedimenta" of the Minorca fancier, and of course may be used at all 
 times. If there are no broody hens on hand when the chickens — 
 come from the incubator, then a heated rearer must be provided to 
 take over the brood. These machines are somewhat costly, and 
 unless a person wishes to produce many chickens, he will find the 
 " old hen " the most convenient. The Minorca being a non-sitter, 
 some difficulty is often experienced in finding suitable brooders just 
 at the time they are required, and arrangements should be made 
 beforehand. Many fanciers are able to hire hens for the purpose, 
 giving three shillings to four shillings for the hen, and agreeing with 
 the owner to return her when done with, and to resell her for two 
 shillings or half-a-crown. In using hens, some care should be taken 
 to make the nests comfortable and such that the eggs may be brought 
 well into contact with the hen's body. The bottom of the nest 
 should consist of five or six inches of damp soil, so hollowed out that 
 it looks not unlike a pudding mould. This should be lined with soft 
 hay, chaff or moss. Straw is objectionable, as it cools the eggs by 
 permitting cold air to pass inside the stem. An orange box may be 
 made suitable for three hens to sit at one time, whilst a sugar box 
 will provide for one or two. In any case I think it desirable that 
 the hen should be covered up so that she can only get off her nest at 
 the will of the owner. She should be allowed off for a few minutes 
 daily, to dust and to get a little exercise. At this time she should 
 be supplied with good corn and clean water, as much of each as she 
 chooses to take. It is very important that she be fed every day in 
 order to keep up the heat of the body, and if she does not come off 
 she must be lifted off. 
 
 Sitting hens brought from other yards are occasionally subject 
 to severe attacks of diarrhoea. This is often caused by a sudden 
 change of food, extra warmth, and at other times may be brought 
 about by a change in the habits and conditions of living. Some- 
 thing must be done to stop it, or the bird will become so weakened 
 that it will not sit its time out. Change of food should be tried. 
 Eice, boiled and allowed to go cold, when a small amount of bone 
 
35 
 
 meal may be mixed with it, is often of service in these cases. If 
 the hen leaves the nest the eggs may be - preserved for a couple of 
 days or more by packing them in well- warmed bran or meal. When 
 the time arrives for the chickens to hatch, there should be as little 
 interference as possible, but occasionally a little judicious help will 
 save a bird or two. In any case, if the hen is the least excitable she 
 should be left alone, or she will do more harm than anyone can do 
 good. Supposing, now, the chickens to be hatched they will require 
 to be removed, and in the majority of cases I have no doubt they 
 will be cooped. Before putting the hen in the coop she should be 
 well fed on some satisfying grain, so that when the chickens are put 
 with her she may attend to, call, and feed them. 
 
 A word now on the coop. It may be of any shape provided it 
 carries out the following principles : — (1) It gives ample room for 
 the hen to move about. (2) It gives shelter from rain and wind. 
 (3) It can be easily moved about. (4) It is easy to keep clean. (5) 
 Is safe against vermin at night. One thing that must be specially 
 provided for, is sufficient ventilation. In many coops the chickens 
 are shut up at night, and there is no provision whatever for this, 
 consequently the chickens do not thrive well, and many of them die 
 off with colds or roup. A small attachable run will be found ser- 
 viceable, and if made high enough at the sides will protect the 
 chickens from cold winds and help them forward surprisingly. 
 Chickens differ from adult fowls in that it is almost impossible to 
 feed the former too often, provided they will eat up all that is given. 
 The great object must be to promote rapid growth by judicious feed- 
 ing. If the youngsters experience a check they will seldom fully 
 recover from it, hence every possible care should be taken to keep 
 them going ahead. I do not care for an abundance of soft food for 
 Minorca chickens, especially for the cocks, as it stimulates the 
 combs too much — makes them soft, and they go over. One feed of 
 soft food each day, or at the most one in the morning and one at 
 night is quite sufficient. This soft food should consist of one-third 
 biscuit meal, one-third coarse oatmeal, and one-third fine middlings, 
 with just a little liverine. As the chickens get older every induce- 
 ment to take plenty of exercise should be provided. Exercise is the 
 greatest factor in developing the latent qualities of the stock, and 
 without it chickens from the best parents will only be moderate 
 specimens. Green food of some kind must be daily supplied unless 
 the birds have access to grass. Clean water should always be 
 
36 
 
 within their reach, and if they are given a small quantity of animal 
 food every day they will relish it, and it will be beneficial. One 
 thing I must not forget, and that is to impress upon the breeder to 
 supply his stock with grit in some form. A little may be scattered 
 iipon a board laid in front of the coop, and if the soft food be thrown 
 upon this they will pick up some of the grit unconsciously. Fresh 
 bones should be broken as small as possible, and they will work 
 wonders in developing bone in the chickens. If any of the young 
 stock are found to look dull and listless they should be caught and 
 examined. Vermin will probably be found on different parts, and 
 to rid the chicks of these pests, their heads, under the wings, and 
 round the vent should be anointed with a mixture of equal parts of 
 oil and paraffin. 
 
 Minorcas are very precocious birds, and the sexes should be 
 separated as early as possible. Not only is this beneficial to pre- 
 vent the birds worrying each other, but to prevent fighting among 
 the cockerels, and really because the cockerels require some- 
 what a different treatment to the pullets ; the latter may receive 
 much more soft food than the former. None of the chickens should 
 be allowed to perch until five or six months old, when the cartilage 
 of the breast has become fairly hard. Even when allowed to perch 
 care must be taken that the perches are of a suitable size that the 
 chickens can grasp with the feet. If the cockerels grow very fast 
 thev may get into a weakened condition, and if at this time they 
 receive much soft food their combs are sure to go over. In such an 
 event they should be fed upon hard corn alone, and at night a small 
 No. 1 cod liver oil capsule may be given with advantage. Pullets 
 are liable to come into laying sooner than desired, and to prevent 
 this should often be removed from pen to pen, and all stimulating 
 food should be withdrawn. Do not be afraid to rid yourself of any 
 wasters. They will only foul the ground, will overcrowd the others, 
 and never in themselves be any good. Just as the removal of untidy 
 weeds in a garden lets in light and air to the good plants, so will 
 the removal of your weeds benefit the young stock remaining. In 
 this "weeding out" some discretion must be observed, and if the 
 experience of the breeder is not sufficient, then he should not 
 hesitate to ask the assistance of friends. The lobes of cockerels 
 develop much earlier than those of pullets, which often do not fully 
 come out until the comb begins to grow. Spotted legs will offceu- 
 tiraes turn out dark. White in the flights is commonly seen, but 
 
37 
 
 these white feathers generally moult out, and crooked or fallen 
 combs may grow straight and upright. White in the face, sprigs on 
 the comb, feathers on the legs, too many toes on the feet, and badly 
 crooked breast bones never come right, and should condemn the 
 owners to a speedy death. 
 
38 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 EXHIBITING. 
 
 There are few birds more difficult to prepare for exhibition than a 
 Minorca, especially a cockerel. The least fright seems to have a 
 very appreciable effect upon the bird's nervous system, making a 
 beautifully coloured face appear pale. 'The great idea must be to 
 put the birds into the show pen in brilliant plumage, tame, but yet 
 able to display their qualities. A well-known judge recently told 
 me in conversation, that after considering the face, he always threw 
 out bad coloured birds in the black breed, and all dirty or yellow 
 birds in the white. \Ii the owner is satisfied that his stock comes up 
 to a fairly high standard of perfection, then he should select his best 
 and prepare them for the show pen. This should not be left until a 
 few days before the show, but should begin at least two or three 
 weeks before that time. "They will require extra food, extra atten- 
 tion and a considerable amount of training. To improve the bril- 
 liancy of the plumage, the soft food should be mixed with the liquor 
 obtained by boiling whole linseed, and the best grain to use at this 
 time is buckwheat, as it also helps to brighten the plumage. Peas, 
 either as meal in the soft food, or whole if the birds will eat them, 
 will be beneficial in hardening the feathers. Hemp seed may be 
 given occasionally, and will be found useful in giving a deep red tinge 
 to the comb, face and wattles. Sulphate of iron added to the drink- 
 ing water will act as a tonic, but just a few drops of sulphuric acid 
 should be added with it to prevent the bird sneezing and taking cold. 
 Every day the bird should be put into a show pen and be gradually 
 accustomed to his owner, or strangers approaching the pen. On 
 these occasions it is well to give a small " tit bit," such as a morsel 
 or two of meat, and to induce the bird to take it from the hand. 
 By these means it will grow accustomed to persons, and will come 
 to the front of the pen in expectation of receiving the usual favour. 
 At these times, also, the owner should pass a stick between the bars 
 
39 
 
 and along the bird's back, sometimes stroking the thighs and legs 
 with it, and making him move round. Then when the judge comes 
 to look it over at the show, the bird, instead of flying to the top of 
 the pen, will come forward and display itself to the best advantages 
 The day before sending off to the show it will be needfu:l 
 to make a few preparations of the toilet. The face, comb, lobe, 
 wattles and legs should be washed with warm water and a little 
 sponge or flannel. If the comb is slack in condition, that is, not 
 stiff, it should be bathed for a few days with alum water, or vinegar 
 and water. The finishing touches should be given just before dis- 
 patching them to the show ; the comb, face and wattles should be 
 lightly rubbed over with just a little camphorated oil, and the legs 
 should be anointed with a very little vaseline to give them tone. If 
 the birds are to be sent far from home they should have a good meal 
 
 of bread soaked in old ale, which will make them sleep and save 
 them from fatigue on the journey. A proper hamper should always 
 be provided, and this should be too large rather than too small. 
 Above all, if the birds are not in good condition, do not send them 
 out. It is simply courting failure. When the exhibit returns from 
 the show it will need the same care and attention that it had before 
 it went away. The excitement of the show and the fatigue of the 
 journey will have upset the bird. It should not be returned to the 
 run, but should be put in the training pen and fed for a day or so 
 on soft food. Hens should be returned to the runs at night ; they 
 should be put upon the perch after the others have gone to roost. 
 Cockerels should never be returned to their fellows, or they will fight 
 and disfigure each other. If the comb should be slack it should be 
 
40 
 
 bathed as previously recommended, and will soon return to its normal 
 condition if the bird is kept in a cool place. If not, then it will be 
 advisable to make use of a wire cradle, shaped like the illustration. 
 They are very simple to make. It is best to use strong wire about 
 as stout as an ordinary knitting needle. The point A is put on 
 under the back of the comb, whilst at the point B it is tied in front 
 of the comb. It is advisable to tie the bird's legs with a piece of 
 tape for a few days until he has become accustomed to this, or he 
 may scratch it off. 
 
41 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 GENEEAL MANAGEMENT. 
 
 Theee is a common notion around that it is a very easy matter to 
 keep poultry so that they may be remunerative. Such, indeed, is 
 the fact when one has the " knack," after having studied and found 
 by experience what is necessary. Very many persons set up poultry 
 keeping because they desire to have new laid eggs, perhaps for a sick 
 or delicate member of their family. They remember that their 
 father, grandfather, uncle or au.nt kept poultry, and therefore they 
 should know all about the way to treat them. There is no class of 
 fowl that will give better results than Minorcas if they are properly 
 handled. There are two great points to attend to in this matter, 
 viz., regularity and judicious feeding. It is very important that the 
 birds should be fed at regular times in the day. Some persons like 
 to give the birds three meals a day, some think two are sufficient, 
 whilst others give only one meal at night. Circumstances should 
 regulate this point, for birds on a free range will not require so much 
 food as those whose range is limited, and who have to be supplied 
 with everything. As a general rule the following will be found 
 sufficient for either case, varying the quantity according to require- 
 ments. In the morning a warm feed of soft meal, at noon a small 
 quantity of meat, liver or flesh of some kind, and if cooped up a 
 supply of green food. At night a good feed of sound hard corn. 
 The owner must be careful not to be too liberal in this matter, for if 
 his birds receive too much food they will get too fat, will not lay, 
 and will probably fall ill or die. No actual quantity can be prescribed, 
 but every care should be taken that whilst the birds get enough they 
 should not be overfed, nor should they have more than they will 
 clear up vigorously. A variety of grain should be arranged for, two 
 or three days or a week upon wheat, then barley, then oats, buck- 
 wheat or dari, whilst occasionally as a treat may be given a little 
 maize or hemp seed. If the weather be cold the morning meal may 
 3 
 
42 
 
 be varied by giving a feed of corn v^hich has been boiled for a 
 few moments. Of course it should not be given to them too hot. 
 If the birds are running free, their food should be scattered about for 
 them to find, but if they are cooped the soft food should be given them 
 in a trough. When the fowls are fed it is a good plan to induce 
 them to feed out of the hand, thus making them tame. Whether the 
 fowls be cooped or on a free run they will require a dust bath. For 
 this purpose I do not think it advisable to use many sifted ashes for 
 Minorcas. I have a notion that it has a tendency to injure the 
 colour of the plumage, that is, to make the black rusty ; I prefer 
 finely sifted road dust, to which has been added a very little sulphur 
 and lime. The bath should be put in a dry, sheltered, sunny corner, 
 and should be large enough for several birds. Observers will have 
 noticed that directly one bird begins a bath there are others which 
 quickly do the same. 
 
 I do not think that in a work of this kind I should go into the 
 construction of houses, and I will content myself with just calling 
 attention to a few points, viz., ventilation, perches, nests, light, 
 shelter and cleanliness. Ventilation is absolutely essential to the 
 health of the stock, and absence of it is a certain forerunner of 
 disease. It must be remembered that draughts are not required 
 for ventilation. There should be a proper system, either by means 
 of a window or by a movable board near the roof. Perches should 
 be not so broad as to give the birds cramp, nor so narrow as to 
 cause them to rest on the breast to prevent falling. They should 
 not be placed too low that the birds cannot walk under them, nor 
 too high that the cock's comb comes in contact with the roof when 
 he crows — as he is sure to do — on the highest perch. Nor should 
 they be so placed that the cold air from the door or ventilator will 
 fall on them. 
 
 Nests should not be placed on the floor, but should be a foot 
 or so from the ground, and of fair size. There should be a sufficient 
 number that the hens can use them without quarrelling, and that 
 there may be no necessity for several hens to get into one nest, 
 to the danger of breaking the eggs. The nest boxes should be 
 frequently cleaned out, and fresh straw or hay put in, for if their 
 nests are dirty the fowls will not use them, but will lay the eggs 
 about in odd corners of the house and runs. Light should be 
 admitted into the roosting houses, and a large sheet of glass should 
 be let into the side for this purpose. If the fowls have free range 
 
43 
 
 they should be provided with shelter of some kind. This should be 
 not only shelter from the rain, but from cold winds and hot sun. 
 
 " Cleanliness is next to godliness " we are told, and this is just 
 as necessary in the case of our poultry as in our persons. The 
 roosting house should be cleaned out at least once a week, and if 
 the droppings could be cleared out every day or so all the better. 
 Sanitas sawdust mixed with sifted ashes or sand makes a capital 
 floor for this purpose, is easily raked over and kept clean. 
 
 The houses should be well lime-washed out once a quarter, and on 
 these occasions the perches should be taken out. A small quantity 
 of Jeyes' fluid or paraffin should be added to the wash to kill the 
 insects. If these parasites are not kept down they will be a great 
 annoyance to the fowls, and will spoil their plumage. 
 
44 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 THE MINOECA QUESTION. 
 
 A SPIRITED correspondence anent " The Minorca and its Fancy 
 Points " took place in The StochheeiJer some few years since, and as 
 the views then expressed by several of the best breeders of the day 
 bear very forcibly on the matter, I have great pleasm'e in giving 
 them in extenso. 
 
 The Minorca and its Fancy Points. 
 
 Letter No. 1. 
 
 Sir, — The Minorca fowl, which, until only a few years since, 
 was hardly seen out of Devon and Cornwall, has since then become 
 so popular that they often outnumber a better known, if not so old 
 a variety. The cause for this sudden popularity is not difficult to 
 account for. In the West of England they had for years been bred' 
 and kept principally because they were found to be such marvellous 
 layers of very large eggs. That they were also hardy, precocious, 
 and a very handsome bird, easy to rear, the pullets commencing to 
 lay at an earlier age than is the case with most other varieties. 
 As these good properties became more widely known, so these birds 
 were more extensively bred throughout the kingdom, and under the 
 fostering care of a club, with a most energetic secretary at its head, 
 they have continued to gain in popularity, and birds which a few 
 years since could be purchased for a few shillings each are now 
 worth as many pounds. Hundreds of Minorcas have also been 
 sent to America and the Colonies, where their merits are being 
 fully recognised, and the Minorca bids fair to become as great a 
 favourite abroad as it is at the present time in the United Kingdom. 
 
 At most shows where a recognised judge of the variety officiates, 
 the entries are very numerous, as many as thirty and even forty 
 birds competing in one class. With such an entry, it is needless 
 
45 
 
 to say the competition is very close, and the awards are keenly 
 criticised, and one often hears a great diversity of opinions on some 
 of the points of a Minorca. My object in addressing this letter to 
 you is principally for the purpose of getting these matters more 
 fully discussed, and, if possible, settled, that we may all know what 
 to breed for and what to avoid, that the judges' decisions may be 
 more consistent than has hitherto been the case. 
 
 All Minorca fanciers are of the opinion that white on the face 
 is most objectionable, some even going so far as to say this should 
 be a disqualification in an exhibition bird. Yet how many of such 
 birds do we see winning prizes. Now, will Messrs. Pitts, Stafford, 
 Hopkins, Parkhouse, Leighton, Dr. Paulin, and others kindly give 
 their views, that judges may know what are the opinions of the 
 leading breeders and exhibitors on this much-vexed question ? I 
 should also like these gentlemen, and others who I cannot re- 
 member just now, to state their opinions as to the size of the ears. 
 The fashion seems to be to get the earlobes as large as possible. 
 Why, I am at a loss to understand ; I should much prefer to see 
 these moderate in size, for large ears means, sooner or later, white 
 on the face. Talking of the face reminds me that one often comes 
 across birds at shows which have had many of the small feathers 
 removed from the face. Now I do care for a gipsy face, or a face 
 almost covered with black feathers. It is to be hoped that judges 
 will in future, not only pay more attention in looking after white 
 on the face, but pass or disqualify those which have been trimmed. 
 
 Next, I should like to make a few remarks about the combs of 
 these birds. In my opinion these are far too large, both in the 
 cocks and hens, and if something is not done to get these smaller 
 I am certain these large combs will ruin the variety. Even as it 
 is, many breeders cut off the combs of their breeding stock, as they 
 find the birds do not properly fertilise their eggs. In other cases 
 the cocks' combs have to be supported to keep them erect. When 
 a variety requires this kind of attention they soon lose their popu- 
 larity, and people who merely keep poultry for the sake of their 
 eggs, or to add to the beauty and attractiveness of their homes, 
 will not be bothered with birds requiring this attention, and giving 
 so much trouble to keep in a presentable condition. In my opinion 
 very big combs and large earlobes are not to be encouraged in 
 Minorcas, or any other variety which is to continue a tboroughly 
 popular breed. 
 
46 
 
 Before concluding, there is another point I should like to see 
 an opinion expressed about, and that is, as to the colour of the legs 
 of these birds. Of late many otherwise excellent specimens have 
 been very light in legs, some even of a blue, slatey colour, just the 
 kind of legs which Spanish fanciers like to see on their birds, but 
 which, to my mind, is most objectionable in Minorcas. I much 
 prefer the dark-coloured legs, almost a black if you like, but not 
 those pale ones which are becoming so common. If I remember 
 rightly, at the last Palace show. Dr. Paulin exhibited some good 
 birds with very dark legs, and the general opinion was that those 
 were the coloured legs to be encouraged in Minorcas. Now Mr. 
 Harwood is a very old fancier of Minorcas, and as he is frequently 
 called upon to judge these birds, I hope he, as well as others, will 
 be good enough to favour your readers with his opinion on the 
 properties I have referred to, for I consider these are matters that 
 require to be ventilated through the public press. 
 
 Blacklegs. 
 
 Letter No. 2. 
 
 Sir, — A letter under the above heading, and signed "Blacklegs," 
 in your issue of the 19th inst., opens up a subject of very great 
 interest to all breeders and exhibitors of the black Minorca, and I 
 hope to see many of the leading breeders of this variety giving their 
 ideas as to what constitutes a perfect specimen ; although I may 
 state, for the information of those who are unaware of the fact, that 
 the committee of the Minorca Club drew up a Minorca standard 
 shortly after the formation of the club, a copy of which, I believe, 
 was sent to all acknowledged poultry judges, some of whom have 
 followed closely upon this standard. I regret to say there are 
 others who have not done so. It is quite evident to me that your 
 correspondent, "Blacklegs," has a very fair knowledge of a Minorca. 
 He is perfectly right in saying that the Minorca is fast becoming 
 as great a favourite abroad as it is in the United Kingdom. They 
 have made wonderful strides during the past two years. Previous 
 to the formation of the Minorca Club it was quite an exception to 
 see a Minorca with a sound red face. Now, I am pleased to say, 
 in the West of England especially, these white-faced specimens are 
 almost extinct. And many of our leading fanciers have splendid 
 birds of the correct type. But there are a large number who breed 
 this beautiful variety who are not thoroughly conversant with the 
 
47 
 
 whole of the points necessary to constitute a good specimen ; and, 
 I fear, even with those who know a good bird when they see it, 
 failure is too often to be attributed to the want of knowledge in 
 mating for the breeding pen, " birds being mated indiscriminately." 
 I have proved this cannot be done to obtain satisfactory results. 
 
 Fearing I shall be trespassing too much upon your valuable 
 space, I will at once proceed to answer the question asked by your 
 correspondent, "Blacklegs." White on the face of a Minorca should 
 be a fatal defect in the show pen. 
 
 As to earlobe, I am decidedly in favour of a medium sized 
 lobe. Many have, in my opinion, far too large lobes, which cer- 
 tainly leads eventually to white in face in most instances. But I 
 have proved with judicious mating it is possible to breed them with 
 large lobe and still to retain the sound red face. I have now in my 
 yard a cockerel with an immense lobe and one of the soundest and 
 best faces I ever saw on a Minorca. I may add that such birds 
 as these are most valuable to mate with hens deficient in lobe, 
 although good in other points. I consider a medium-sized lobe of 
 the proper almond shape of good quality and substance fitting 
 closely to the face adds much to the beautiful appearance of the 
 Minorca. A tight-fitting lobe is a point that should be carefully 
 bred for. Many of the best specimens (otherwise) are spoilt by 
 loose, unshapely lobes. Your correspondent states that he has 
 often seen birds which have had the small feathers removed from 
 their faces. This is a thing too often done. The judges, I am 
 pleased to see, as a rule pass birds so treated. I certainly do not 
 admire a gipsy face, although this is a kind of face that seldom 
 shows white. I always avoid a Minorca that has a pale red face, 
 as they invariably become white ; a coral red is the correct colour. 
 
 I have always been a great advocate for medium-sized combs, 
 especially on the cocks. I consider the hens should have fair size 
 combs (not too large). It adds much to their beauty. Such combs 
 should have sufficient substance so as to be carried off from the 
 face. They should not be thin and flabby, falling loosely over the 
 face and preventing the hen from seeing. Your correspondent also 
 states that many breeders cut off the combs of their breeding stock. 
 This is often done when a bird meets with an accident to its comb, 
 which causes it to go over. I have at the present time three cocks 
 in my breeding pens with their combs off (my challenge cup cock 
 being one). 
 
48 
 
 The correct colour of a Minorca's legs is very dark, the darker 
 the better — black if possible. There is also another most important 
 point too often overlooked, viz., size and shape of body. I have 
 seen specimens at shows in the prize list only fit to breed Minorca 
 Bantams. In those cases head points could have been the only 
 thing considered necessary by the person who awarded the prizes. 
 A large number of the Minorcas are narrow in chest, short in body, 
 and tapered away too much towards the tail, tails also carried 
 much too high. The latter is a most prevalent defect, and every 
 endeavour should be made to breed it out. Tail should not be as 
 full and fan-shaped as so often seen, should be neat and carried 
 well away (not over the bird's back) ; lastly, the birds should be 
 fairly well set up on legs, showing plenty of thigh. 
 
 Aijvil 26th, 1889. A. G. Pitts. 
 
 Letter No. 3. 
 
 Sm, — Although my name is not included in the list of the 
 gentlemen whose opinions " Blacklegs " desires on this subject, I 
 trust " Blacklegs " will pardon me for undertaking a duty for which, 
 perhaps, I am not nearly as well adapted, and from which I would 
 have withheld, had it not been that there is also another article 
 in last week's Stock-Keeper, which even more than "Blacklegs' " 
 letter calls my pen to paper. In the first place, Mr. Editor, I am 
 astonished that you should have permitted — without correcting — 
 such erroneous ideas to be published, as are contained in the anony- 
 mous article on " the Andalusian." I shall quote one or two of the 
 most glaring mistakes : " Again, both the Andalusian and the 
 Minorca are practically identical with the Spanish in style, shape, 
 and size. Take away the white face, and the Spanish would 
 become to' all intents and purposes a good Minorca." Now, Mr. 
 Editor, your correspondent is evidently far more in want of en- 
 lightenment on the subject of the points of the Minorca than 
 " Blacklegs." If he is an authority on the Andalusian, why could 
 he not have stuck to his subject and left the Minorca out of the 
 question entirely, when to mention it only means the production of 
 such errors as the above ? I would commend the following to your 
 contributor's notice, and I trust it will be the means of effectually 
 ending any such erroneous ideas as were published last week. 
 
 The first point mentioned by " Blacklegs " is the much-vexed 
 
49 
 
 question of white on the face. Now, to condemn this seems very 
 hke thrashing a dead dog. Surely this point is once and for all 
 settled in this wise : that white on the face, in whatever quantity 
 (although perhaps only one. speck), should utterly condemn the bird 
 for show purposes, and that the judge should pass over all birds so 
 marked. At any rate, we have arrived at this length in Scotland, 
 and surely England cannot be behind us in this respect. It simply 
 means that if we ticket a bird with white in face we encourage the 
 greatest defect which there can be in the Minorca. In my opinion 
 the pure blood-red face is the making of the Minorca, and nothing 
 blemishes the appearance of the bird so much as white on face. 
 At Auchterarder Show, where there was a very large entry, I 
 passed over five birds for this defect, and did not even go the length 
 of looking at their other points from a judge's standpoint. 
 
 As to the other points, I must condense my remarks as much 
 as possible, and I would only say that my idea of a Minorca is — 
 face as free from hairs as possible (trimmed faces alioays to he 
 passed), eyes dark, lobes large, but of a distinctly almond shape. 
 As to the combs, this is a matter of personal opinion. I prefer 
 combs as large as possible, provided that the general effect pleases 
 the eye, and does not for a moment give one the idea of the comb 
 being a deformity or even an inconvenience. If the structure of a 
 cock's comb is correct it never requires support. What I mean by 
 this is that the breadth at the base in a full-grown Minorca cockerel 
 should not be less than one inch and three-quarters. If the breadth 
 is this, there will not be the least necessity for a support, nor any 
 possibility of the comb falling — except perhaps through injury. 
 As to the colour of legs, old birds invariably get light, but those 
 cannot be too dark in yearling birds — the darker the better. Still, 
 if we give five points for a hlach leg in a pullet, we may also give 
 five points for a dark slate-coloured leg in a hen, and still be acting 
 justly. 
 
 Before closing I have to touch on the main point of interest 
 to the writer of the article on "The Andalusian." In my opinion, 
 a Minorca is not a Minorca when it resembles the Spanish in shape. 
 I would class the Spanish as a sprightly, lanky, leggy fowl, while 
 the correct type of the Minorca is as follows : — Let us have the legs 
 of medium length, inclined to the short side ; body deep and 
 square ; neck of medium length, but hackle very full and flowing, 
 giving a Dorking-like shape at shoulder ; tail carried well hack. 
 
50 
 
 Now, the first and the last point mentionecl are the two which give 
 the Minorca a very distinct appearance from that of the Spanish. 
 If there is one thing more than another that I dislike it is a high 
 tailor a Spanish type. 
 
 B. W. Geant-Govan. 
 Glengyle, Scotland. 
 
 Letter No. 4. 
 
 Sir, — Your Andalusian correspondent^ will somewhat rile Minorca 
 fanciers. He says, in his article on the Andalusian, " take away 
 the white in the face of a Spanish, a good Minorca will remain." 
 He can manufacture the Andalusian any way to please himself, but, 
 please, hands off our old pedigree red-faced Minorca. I have seen 
 Anconas, which are Minorcas with plumage very much like Scotch 
 Greys. I have also seen blues. I saw some very good ones twenty- 
 four years ago in the yard of the late Mr. Leworthy, of Barnstaple, 
 who was a great fancier of the Minorca, He told me they were 
 sports from the Minorca, and some, he said, call them Andalusians. 
 I venture to say hardly in any one point is a Spanish like a Minorca. 
 Look at the chicken ; can anything be more different ? No other 
 variety feathers so quickly as do Minorcas. Spanish are quite the 
 reverse. Spanish have smooth combs, blue legs, green lustred 
 plumage, and are altogether more stilty in appearance. Minorcas 
 have rough combs, should be black in leg, plumage thicker and 
 more fully furnished in tail and hackle, which is of a richer and 
 finer quality, and glossy jet black, more compact and Dorking 
 shaped, shorter on leg, and would be happy and jolly where a 
 Spanish would starve and die. It is those fanciers who turn 
 out these mongrels, that are neither Spanish, Andalusian, nor 
 Minorca, which has caused so much difference in opinion of what a 
 true Minorca should be. 
 
 In reply to " Blackleg," I may say I like the comb to be medium 
 in size, so as not to cause any discomfort to the bird. Lobes are 
 decidedly too big ; they should not be so large when the bird is four 
 or five years old. What I wish to see is birds improving with age, 
 and not go all to pieces at their first moult. Most Minorca fanciers 
 are working men, and the close confinement they are compelled to 
 keep them in has a tendency to make the combs and lobes grow larger 
 than otherwise would be the case if the birds had their liberty. 
 A red face is the real standing point. The plumage should be a 
 
51 
 
 glossy jet black, even to the quill feathers. Nothing adds more to 
 a Minorca's beauty than a black beak, legs, and eyes. Old fanciers 
 insisted on toe-nails being of a dark horn colour. If " Blackleg" 
 breeds up to his writing he will do well. Nothing makes me feel 
 more angry than when I see in the show-pen, when I have to 
 judge, a good bird out of its natural state. You pass it, you have 
 to state your reasons, and perhaps an angry wordy correspondence 
 follows. On the other hand, give it the benefit of a doubt, then 
 you are laughed at. I have made up my mind for the future to 
 disqualify any that are unfairly dealt with. 
 
 Minorcas are a difficult bird to judge, as they vary every hour in 
 appearance. Condition is the deciding point. All-round judges are 
 not always to blame, for they often have 400 pens to judge in the 
 time it should take to judge an average lot of Minorcas. Something 
 is wrong when two breeders pass a bird at two different shows, while 
 at a third an all-round judge gives him a first and challenge cup. 
 All winners should be handled. Light legs and white in wing 
 flights are much too prevalent ; also crooked breast-bone — whether 
 this is caused by going too soon to roost on perch, or whether it 
 is hereditary, is difficult to say. I am inclined to think the latter. 
 I should like breeders to pay more attention to bodily structure, as 
 I would like the Minorca not only to look well, but handle well. 
 Minorca fanciers are at last getting more enlightened as to what 
 is the best standard, and I hope they will still be more determined 
 to maintain the purity of our old red-faced Minorca. 
 
 J. Harwood. 
 
 Letter No. 5. 
 
 Sir, — I am inclined to think your correspondent, " Black Legs," 
 is well aware of the fact that Minorca fanciers are all pretty well 
 agreed what to breed for and what to avoid. He shows by his 
 letter that he himself is well posted on the subject, and knows 
 what to aim at too, and I am quite safe in saying that in no other 
 variety do the fanciers generally come nearer to a universal agree- 
 ment on show points than we do. This is to be attributed mainly 
 to the well-directed action of our club, combined with the efforts of 
 our most excellent hon. secretary, to whom "Black Legs " pays a 
 well-deserved compliment. I believe "Black Legs" wrote his 
 letter in the hope that the answers thereto would demonstrate this 
 
52 
 
 fact — ^viz., that Minorca fanciers are remarkably well agreed on the 
 fancy points of the breed, and doubtless such will be the case. 
 
 Mr. Pitts, Mr. Grant-Govan, and Mr. Harwood show clearly 
 enough in their letters that there is no material divergence of 
 opinion between themselves. These three gentlemen, and all other 
 real fanciers, are agreed that white in face is, and shall continue 
 to be, a fatal defect in the show pen. I am glad to see Mr. Grant- 
 Govan' s protest against the absn.rd statements of the writer of " The 
 Andalusian " article, and I entirely agree with Mr. Grant-Govan' s 
 comments thereon. The Minorca is good enough of itself to stand 
 alone without any outside help from any other variety whatever, 
 but the Black Spanish comb, style, shape, and carriage would be 
 the last thing a Minorca fancier would desire. 
 
 As regards ear-lobe, I have always believed that the fashion in 
 vogue some time ago of extra large ear-lobes for Minorcas had much 
 to do with introducing white-faced birds. I like a fair-sized lobe, 
 pure white, without folds or creases, and fitting close to side of head. 
 
 Eespecting size of comb, I am satisfied that this is merely a 
 question of feeding, and many fanciers in their anxiety to get a bird 
 into high show condition give too much stimulating food, which has 
 the effect of producing the extra large combs we sometimes see, and 
 sometimes to the detrinient of the bird's success. "Black Legs" 
 need have no fear of the general utility of the Minorca being spoiled 
 in this respect. When Minorcas are kept as ordinary farmyard 
 stock, not a bird among them is to be found which is inconvenienced 
 in any way by too large a comb. 
 
 The legs of Minorcas as cockerels or pullets should be black or 
 nearly so, but Mr. Grant-Govan rightly calls attention to the fact 
 that after the first season the legs become lighter in colour, aud this 
 fact is not always either known or remembered by all-round judges 
 and others. 
 
 Mr. Pitts is quite right in insisting upon Minorcas being large in 
 size, and not mere Bantams. Anyone can breed pretty and small 
 Minorcas, but to breed a big good one is not so easy, but when 
 achieved will certainly meet with its due reward under all good 
 judges of the variety. I like a Minorca with a big square body, and 
 somewhat of a Dorking shape, only higher on the log, in fact, a big 
 substantial-looking fowl. 
 
 Now, as to judging, it is not sufficiently remembered that the 
 Minorca is, as stated by Mr. Harwood, a very variable bird in 
 
53 
 
 appearance hour by hour, and sometimes judges get blamed wrong- 
 fully from this cause, and the exhibitor is apt to overlook the fact 
 that at time of judging his bird may not be looking its best, while 
 another bird, no better in points, condition, or size may at time of 
 judging just happen to show itself to the best advantage, and thus 
 gain precedence. In conclusion, I venture to say that although the 
 Minorca has so rapidly come to the front as everybody's bird, yet it 
 seems likely to retain that enviable position for a long time to come. 
 
 A. Clegg. 
 
 Lettbk No. 6. 
 
 SiK, — Although not one of those named by your correspondent, 
 " Black Legs," on this question, I see by your editorial that you 
 wish for a thorough ventilation on this important subject, so I beg 
 to join the list. Whoever " Black Legs " may be, whether a 
 Minorca breeder or not, he seems to me to be moderately well 
 posted, although there are several points he has overlooked, viz., 
 condition, size, colour of eye, and plumage. First, as to white face, 
 this should certainly mean an absolute disqualiiication. I do not 
 mean by this to mark the pen with the objectionable word " dis- 
 qualified," but that a judge should pass the same by without looking 
 to its other good points. I am fast coming to the' conclusion that 
 not even a commended card should be placed on a pen possessing 
 such a specimen, for how can a judge commend a white face bird 
 which both by name and possession should be a red face one. The 
 great difficulty with this pioint is to know a real white face bird 
 from one that on being left quiet for a short space of time turns very 
 pale, and directly it is a bit excited comes up to its true colour. In 
 this instance an all-round judge may pass such a bird in its 
 first stage, and " imagine the white," but having his attention 
 called to the bird later on, when it had been aroused, he would to 
 his sorrow find out his error. The only prevention for this and 
 many other errors is that all birds worthy of a card should be 
 handled. Eeal white invariably shows itself under and close to 
 the eye, sometimes even the lids show this objectionable fault, and 
 a single direct speck of such is sure to be fatal later on. 
 
 Lobe is a point that I do not at all recognise of such importance 
 as the face. My impression is that the flat side of a small Brazil or 
 shoe nut best answers the purpose for both size and shape of same, 
 
54 
 
 and which should be fitted well into the face and not abutting or 
 hanging loosely. In judging I should not discard a large lobe bird, 
 providing he or she carried a sound face. Gipsy faces are of two 
 kinds : the first almost a very dull dark red, so much as to be almost 
 black ; the other represents a capital red face, with numerous small 
 hairs growing out from same. The first of these I have an objection 
 to, because they look so dull and heavy about the head ; the second 
 I would much rather see absent. I should never pass a bird that 
 only possessed this slight fault, because such an one will throw 
 white to the dogs, and for breeding purposes oftentimes invaluable. 
 
 Eye should be dark, but there are very few about of that colour ; 
 red passes very well, but the first nails the card up. 
 
 In colour the old strains were sooty bla.ck, but I must say I like 
 a tinge of green ; it seems to give them a lustrous appearance, which 
 dead black does not possess ; but this point does not much matter 
 so long as they are black. White wing flights seem very prevalent, 
 and these should be at once put down. This, again, can only be 
 seen by handling. 
 
 Breast bones should be straight. I cannot understand the defect 
 of crooked breasts being caused through the perches, but rather 
 think the same is hereditary ; because, if not so, what about those 
 heavier specimens, such as Dorkings, Plymouth Eocks, and notably 
 the Game, most all breeding true to breast point. 
 
 Combs should be large. I think this should be the ideal of all 
 Minorca fanciers. By this I do not maintain those great coarse 
 flabby ones that one so often sees in the show pen, but a comb with 
 a wide base, slightly pebbly to the touch, as if you were passing 
 your hand over a piece of fine sand paper, carrying long and broad 
 spikes, firmly set upright on male, and one cross over the beak 
 and front of skull, and thence laying out, on the hen. I cannot 
 admire a hen that carries a large comb directly over from the skull. 
 It seems to make her all lopsided, and in going from you she will 
 run against anything on her blind side, whereas if the comb, be it 
 ever so heavy and well embedded, in doubling across the skull and 
 beak before the cross or actual drop, has the effect of maintaining 
 the bird's body on an equality. I trust on this comb question that 
 all fanciers and breeders will see the necessity of maintaining this 
 grand old point — viz., a good sound and large comb. Never mind a 
 bit of anxiety now and then ; keep up the pedigree. 
 
 Legs and feet were formerly slate colour, but I vote decidedly 
 
55 
 
 for dark or black, especially in young birds. Black legs, like white 
 plumage, show the effects of age and climate — the one to turn a bit 
 light and the other slightly yellow. So aged birds on this point 
 should be treated on the give-and-take principle, and not be thrown 
 altogether out for such a defective point. 
 
 Size and shape is a great point in this variety. The first should 
 average from 61b. to 81b. ; after a larger one is an excessive gain. 
 In shape not at all Spanish, but more after the Dorking, only a bit 
 higher on leg, well showing its thighs, but not quite so square. 
 
 I now come to condition, which sums up the whole of the points 
 (barring size, colour and legs in one), for from the lack of this every 
 other point in a Minorca seems sadly to fail. They seem to be ex- 
 tremely sensitive to sudden changes, and their comb, face and lobe 
 are greatly affected even in a day. A good bird lacking condition 
 most often fails to win, while a bad one in good trim often succeeds. 
 The comparison of a white face Spanish to a Minorca in your issue 
 of April 10 by an " Andalusian Breeder " answers itself. He simply 
 knows nothing about the West of England fowl. 
 
 J. Phtsick. 
 
 Letter No. 7. 
 
 Sir, — The letters which have appeared in the last two issues of 
 the Stock-Keeper have been very interesting to myself, as I doubt 
 not they have been to all Minorca fanciers. I am glad that the 
 subject has received attention, for, though there has on the whole 
 last season been but little to grumble at in the judging of this 
 variety, there has been quite enough to do serious harm. My 
 acquaintance with this breed began thirteen years ago, and in those 
 days laying powers were not subordinated to fancy points. Im- 
 provements no doubt have been made in this as in all other breeds, 
 but I do not think they have been altogether in a desirable direction. 
 In breeding for show it should be the great aim to obtain a blood- 
 red face entirely free from white. White in the face should be an 
 absolute disqualification. I would much rather breed from a bird 
 with a tinged lobe than from one with a white face. I regret I am 
 unable to agree with Mr. Pitts, that previous to the formation of 
 the Minorca Club in 1886, no good birds were found with sound red 
 faces. I remember such, and I feel sure that the desire to produce 
 birds with large, clear, white lobes has induced breeders to have 
 
56 
 
 recourse to the Spanish blood to obtain it. This, in my opinion, has 
 brought with it an alteration in the type of the bird, and may be 
 noticed in the following ways I think : — 
 
 1. In the pure strain the comb and wattles are of a very rough 
 texture, and as brilliant as those of the Langshan. On the other 
 hand, those with a mixture of Spanish blood have smooth combs of 
 a pale red colour. 2. The legs of pure-bred birds are of a glossy 
 black colour, and, though they become paler with age, they seldom 
 approach the slatey blue so prevalent at the present time. 3. The 
 carriage of those with Spanish blood in them is more stilty than in 
 the pure-bred ones. 4. In the crossed strains the shoulders and 
 chest are narrower than in the pure-bred variety. I particularly 
 noticed this fault during last season, several very big winners having 
 it. 5. The plumage in the pure strains is more dense, and of a 
 glossy black, whilst with the Spanish cross this colour becomes of a 
 greenish hue, sometimes showing a chequered marking on the wing. 
 I like to see a bird well "up," though not quite so "gamey" as 
 some now are, broad in breast and shoulders, and not with legs too 
 light, or with pale pink in the feet. The ear-lobes should be of 
 medium size, and good almond shape ; when too large the white 
 gradually spreads from the base upwards ; with it there generally 
 comes a small white speck under the eye, and this quickly spreads 
 to meet the ear-lobe. I do not care to see the ear-lobe fitting too 
 tightly to the head — at least, not to look as if "plastered" below 
 the face. In such specimens that I have seen with this point de- 
 voloped, the lobes seem to be rounder than usual, and certainly 
 indicate to my mind an infusion of Hamburgh blood. At the same 
 time, they should not hang loose and flabby. One of the greatest 
 possible objects to aim at is size, plenty of bone, without coarse- 
 ness. 
 
 Opinions seem to differ with regard to size of comb. Personally 
 I like to see them fairly large — in the hen hanging well from the 
 face, in the cock firmly set on the head, with a broad base, no 
 thumb marks, hollows at the sides, or twists in front, and with 
 deeply-cut spikes. Crooked breasts are far too common. In many 
 cases I am convinced this is caused by in-breeding weakening the 
 bird, but I am well aware that the most frequent cause of this is 
 allowing the birds to roost too early on a narrow perch. In con- 
 clusion, I would urge all Minorca fanciers to join the club, and 
 whether they do so or not, I would advise them to apply to the 
 
57 
 
 Hon. Secretary, Mr. P. Stafford, for a copy of the club rules and 
 standard. T. H. Harbison. 
 
 Letter No. 8. 
 
 Sir, — I do not know who your correspondent " Black Legs" is, 
 but in my opinion he has an excellent idea of what a Minorca should 
 be. I thank him for his kindly reference to myself, and also to the 
 club. He asks me to give my views on several points which I am 
 pleased to do, but I think they are pretty well known. I have 
 now been a breeder and exhibitor of these birds for a good many 
 years. I am delighted to see that it has now taken its proper place, 
 and justly so, as one of the most useful and beautiful fowls we have ; 
 and I am also pleased that I have had my part in bringing it into 
 the prominent position which it has now attained. It is without 
 ■ the slightest doubt the most popular breed at the present day, and 
 the demand from iVmerica has increased to a very large extent, and 
 continues to do so. I think it is not saying too much that it owes 
 its popularity in the main to the Minorca Club, and the efforts its 
 individual members have made on its behalf. I would ask you to 
 go back with me to the last six Crystal Palace shows to see the 
 great progress it has made — 
 
 In 1883, two classes, no special, entries 32. 
 
 In 1884, two classes, two cups, entries 69. 
 
 I thought it was time something more was done, so wrote Mr. 
 Howard on the subject, with the result that in 1885 there were 
 four classes, four cups, value £3 3s. each ; the Palace Committee 
 giving one, Mr. Wellings guaranteed one, and mj'self two ; entries 
 only two short of 100. One of the cups I was fortunate enough to 
 win myself. In 1886 four classes only, two cups, but there was 
 a fourth prize in the chicken classes ; entries 88. I only sent 
 five pens this year, while in 1885 I sent fifteen — just making the 
 difference. In 1887, four classes, two cups ; entries 121. In 1888 
 (the Minorca Club Show), six classes, two challenge cups value 
 £15 15s. each, and three cups value £3 3s. each ; entries 139. At 
 Torquay Show- in December, 1887, there were four classes, two 
 cups ; entries 136. And at the following shows, of which I happen 
 to have the catalogues, in 1888-1889, I find Dairy 65, Gloucester 
 49, Windsor 44, Derby 111, Brighouse 49, Barnstaple 46, Tiverton 
 88, Torquay 111, Grantham 63, Bristol 54, Worcester 46, Liverpool 
 90 (58 hens in one class), and Glasgow 97. If shows will give 
 4 
 
58 
 
 separate classes for Minorcas instead of having to compete against 
 
 Andalusians, Leghorns, Spanish, &c., there is not the sHghtest doubt 
 
 that they will fill and be large, if not the largest classes in the 
 
 show. The Minorca Club, through its committee, has drawn up a 
 
 " standard of perfection," which has been sent to all acknowledged 
 
 poultry judges, and if there is anyone who would like to have a 
 
 copy I shall be pleased to send him one. I enclose a copy of the 
 
 " standard of perfection," and hope you will find room for it. It 
 
 will give your readers a correct idea of what a Minorca should be. 
 
 And now for some of the points touched upon by " Black Legs." 
 
 White in face. — According to the Standard, this is a fatal defect, 
 
 and, however good otherwise, these birds ought to be passed. I 
 
 do not mean pale or even blue-faced birds (the latter will become 
 
 white in time), but to distinctly white-faced birds. Too much 
 
 cannot be made of this. They are " red-faced " Minorcas, or 
 
 should be. As to size of ear-lobe — medium in size, almond-shaped, 
 
 fitting close to the head. If you have very large-lobed birds, sooner 
 
 or later they will be white in face. I quite agree with "Black 
 
 Legs " as to " trimming the face," and hope that judges will not 
 
 hesitate to pass or disqualify if they find that it has been done. 
 
 There is a great deal too much of it. As to combs, I do not like 
 
 too large a comb ; I like the birds to be able to carry them with 
 
 comfort. Too large combs and earlobes are, as " Black Legs " 
 
 says, "not to be encouraged." Legs should be black. Dr. Paulin's 
 
 birds at the last Palace Show were, as " Black Legs " says, a 
 
 capital colour ; the darker you can get them the better. I quite 
 
 agree with Mr. Pitts as to size and carriage. The more these 
 
 matters are discussed the better. On behalf of my Club, I thank 
 
 " Black Legs " for starting this correspondence, and for his capital 
 
 letter. I shall be glad to hear from anyone wishing to join the 
 
 club, and to give them full particulars. 
 
 Peecy Stafpoed, 
 
 Elmsleigh Hall, Leicester. Eon. Sec, Minorca Club. 
 
 MINOECA STANDAED OF PEEFECTION. 
 
 General Characteristics. 
 
 COCK. 
 
 Beak. — Fairly long, but stout. 
 
 Head. — Long and broad, so as to carry comb quite erect. 
 Comb. — Single, large, evenly serrated, perfectly upright, firmly 
 set on head, straight in front, free from any twist or thumb mnrk. 
 
59 
 
 reaching well to the back of the head, moderately rough in texture, 
 free from any side sprigs. 
 
 Wattles. — Long, rounded at the ends. 
 
 Face. — Fine in quality, as free from feathers or hairs as possible, 
 and not showing any white. 
 
 Ear-lobe.— Medium in size, almond-shaped, smooth, flat, fitting 
 close to the head. 
 
 Eye. — Full, bright and expressive. 
 
 Neck. — Long, nicely arched, with flowing hackle. 
 
 Body. — Broad at shoulder, square and compact. 
 
 Back. — Broad and rather long. 
 
 Wings. — Moderate in length, neat, and fitting close to body. 
 
 Breast. — Full and rounded. 
 
 Thighs, Legs and Feet. — Medium length and stout. 
 
 Toes. — Four. 
 
 Tail. — Full, sickles long, well arched, and carried well back. 
 
 Size. — Large. 
 
 Carriage. — Upright, graceful. 
 
 Weight. — From 6|lbs. to 81bs. 
 
 Beak. — Fairly long, but stout. 
 
 Head. — Long and broad. 
 
 Comb. — Single, fairly large, evenly serrated, arched, drooping 
 well down over side of face, slightly rough in texture, free from any 
 side sprigs. 
 
 Wattles. — Long, rounded at the ends. 
 
 Face. — Fine in quality, as free from feathers or hairs as possible, 
 and not showing any white. 
 
 Ear-lobe. — -Medium in size, almond-shaped, smooth, flat, fitting 
 close to the head, rather more rounded than in cock. ■ 
 
 Eye. — Full, bright and expressive. 
 
 Neck. — Long, nicely arched. 
 
 Body. — Broad at shoulder, square and compact. 
 
 Back. — Broad and rather long. 
 
 Wings. — Moderate in length, neat and fitting close to body. 
 
 Breast. — Full and rounded. 
 
 Thighs, Legs and Feet. — Medium length and stout. 
 
 Toes. — Four. 
 
 Tail. — Full, neat, carried well back, 
 
60 
 
 Size. — -Large. 
 
 Carriage. — Upright, graceful. 
 
 Weight. — From 51bs. to 6^ lbs. 
 
 COLOITE OF BLACK MINOECAS. 
 
 COCK AND HEN. 
 
 BeaJc. — Dark horn colour. 
 
 Eye. — Dark. 
 
 Comb, Face and Wattles. — Dark blood red. 
 
 Ear-lobe. — Pure white. 
 
 Legs. — Black, or very dark slate. 
 
 Plumage. — Glossy black. 
 
 COLOUE OF WHITE MINOECAS. 
 
 5eaA-.— White, 
 
 Eye. — Eed. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattle. — Blood red. 
 
 Earlobe. — Pure white. 
 
 Legs. — Pinky white. 
 
 Plumage. — Glossy white. 
 
 VALUE OF DEFECTS IN JUDGING MINOECAS. ' 
 
 Points. 
 Defects iu face — bloated red, coarseness, or too hairy 15 
 Bad shape, or twisted comb . , . . , , . . 15 
 
 Want of size . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 
 
 Wrinkled, folded, or stained lobe . . . . . . 10 
 
 Defects in colour . . . . . . . . . . 10 
 
 Want of condition .. .. .. .. ..10 
 
 Want of style and symmetry . . . . . . . . 10 
 
 Too light legs, eyes, or beak . . . . . . . . 8 
 
 Crooked breastbone . . . . . . . . . . 7 
 
 100 
 A perfect bird to count 100 points. 
 
 Fatal Defects. — White in face ; wry or squirrel-tailed ; feathers on legs ; other 
 than single-combed ; coloured plumage, other than black or white in the several 
 varieties ; other than four toes ; legs other colour than black or slate iu black 
 Minorcas, or white in white Minorcas. 
 
 Letter No. 9. 
 
 Sir, — My name having been mentioned by " Black Legs " in your 
 valuable paper of the 19th as to points, etc., of black Minorcas, I 
 beg to say that I can only ask them to refer back to Mr. E. W. 
 
61 
 
 Grant Govan and Mr. A. G. Pitts's letters in your issue of the 26th, 
 in reference to the same. I think them as good a description of the 
 breed all round as I have ever seen published in the press, and it 
 has been discussed many times by both members of the Minorca 
 Club and others. I believe that 80 per cent, of the breeders and 
 exhibitors of this variety know perfectly well that Minorcas are 
 nothing like the type of a white-faced Spanish. Yet I am sorry to 
 find that many birds win at shows that are of the Spanish type, but 
 I find now they are getting passed by the majority of judges on that 
 account. My opinion of the Minorca is that the cock should have a 
 medium-sized comb (not extra large, otherwise it will not produce 
 fertility), eye dark, beak horn-shaped and black, lobe medium in 
 size and almond shape, face a coral red, not too long on the leg, but 
 showing plenty of thigh and bone, and square and compact, with 
 neither whip-tail nor yet too high, legs dark. But above all, I 
 should never despise a bird for being light in the leg, as most birds 
 when they have their run in the fields among plenty of grass 
 go light when about twelve months old. Although all younger 
 birds should have black legs, I have seen birds in the show pen that 
 have had their legs coloured, so on that account I should not give 
 five points between a black leg and a light one, particularly if it has 
 to continue a farmer's fowl. 
 
 In the hen, I like to see her with a good large comb. When 
 they have their liberty it shows good blood ; and I think it is mostly 
 known and admired on that account. But the comb should have 
 plenty of substance to carry it arch-shaped, and not to prevent her 
 from seeing her way, which is the most important point. Eye dark, 
 beak horn shajpe, lobe almond shape, of a medium size, face coral 
 red, with as few hairs on as possible, and, above all, let them be 
 large and square in compact (not a black Hamburgh body), nor yet 
 long on the leg. The above is my opinion of Minorcas, and I give 
 it with pleasure for the information of your readers for what it is 
 worth. There are many older fanciers of this bird who might differ 
 from me in many points. 
 Preston. Wm. Leighton. 
 
 Letter No. 10. 
 
 Sir, — I have read the various letters that have appeared in your 
 late issues, and cannot allow the subject to drop without adding my 
 humble " crow." I do not wish to enter into the merits or demerits 
 
6^ 
 
 of the letters, but at once give you my opinion of what I think goes 
 to enhance and make up a fancy Minorca. White in face is doomed 
 in Scotland, and every fancier who has a reputation to lose should 
 not allow a white-faced bird to have a place in his breeding pens 
 — no matter how good in other points. A fault, I observe, with 
 some breeders is the attempt to put " stilts " underneath the 
 Minorca. I like to hit the happy medium — between a Dorking and 
 the present everyday exhibition Spanish. I like dark legs, but they 
 invariably get lighter after the first moult, which is quite a natural 
 sequence, and one can easily tell an old from a young bird in a 
 mixed class. I do not like to see a hen going." shooting " about 
 from place to place. This is caused by the comb hanging flat over 
 side of face. Nor do I like to see the fold in front of head. The 
 comb, in my opinion, should rise right from the base of head and 
 gently curve over to one side, allowing the bird to see ahead with 
 both eyes. If the comb does this, let it be large, as a large comb is 
 a very distinctive mark in a Minorca. Lobes to the small side suit 
 my liking, and fitting close and distinct. Lobes running into face I 
 do not like. Plumage glossy jet black, and tail carried well back. 
 But I regret to see birds when two or more years old they incline to 
 carry their tails high. 
 
 We, in Scotland, are pegging away, and are making rapid strides. 
 The Scottish Minorca Club is working a world of good, and I am 
 pleased to inform you we are " aye flourishing," and will be glad to 
 add any Scottish fanciers to our roll. As Mr. Stafford pointed out 
 in his letter, our first show had ninety-seven entries, in four classes, 
 and our future looks very bright. I am afraid if we breed too much for 
 fancy points we may tend to lose the more essential — viz., egg pro- 
 duction. A word of warning may not be out of place in the present 
 discussion. 
 
 Hoping still to see further letters, and at the close please let us 
 
 have your opinion. 
 
 James A. G. Dippie, 
 
 Hon. Sec, Scottish Minorca Club. 
 Coatbridge. 
 
 Letter No. 11. ' 
 
 Sib, — The readers of the Stock-Keeper must have read with 
 pleasure and profit the instructive and most interesting series of 
 letters which have appeared for some weeks past on the Minorca. 
 
63 
 
 All the writers have so readily and in such a disinterested manner 
 expressed their opinions, that not only those who have taken part in 
 the discussion, but others, must feel gratified that " Blacklegs " 
 should have ventilated the subject. Having been frequently called 
 upon to judge these birds when on many occasions the entries in a 
 single class have numbered thirty or forty, and at Liverpool nearly 
 sixty pens were submitted to my judgment, it may not be considered 
 presumptuous if I briefly give my views on a few of the points 
 referred to in the correspondence. 
 
 First of all, let me say I fully endorse Mr. Harwood's remark 
 when he says, " Minorcas are difficult birds to judge." Only those 
 who have had to judge them know how suddenly they alter in 
 appearance, and the still greater difficulty experienced when they 
 are not placed in a good hght, as unfortunately is often the case. I 
 have had to judge these birds — and others have had similar ex- 
 perience—when it has been necessary to be accompanied by a couple 
 of attendants with lamps, to enable one to see the birds. I merely 
 
64 
 
 mention this that exhibitors may reahse the fact that judging under 
 such unfavourable conditions may account for the apparent incon- 
 sistencies whicli occasionally occur in the decisions. Everyone who 
 knows the Minorca can fully testify as to its useful properties as well 
 as its beauties. It is a most striking variety, and when exhibited — 
 as should always be the case — in the best possible condition and 
 bloom, few others can surpass it either for beauty or attractiveness. 
 Condition is of the utmost importance with Minorcas, and I cannot 
 too strongly impress upon exhibitors of these birds the necessity of 
 sending out their birds in the best possible feather and condition ; 
 otherwise it is a mere waste of money and time in exhibiting them. 
 
 In my opinion many of the combs are far too large, and I have 
 frequently come across birds with combs which I know must have 
 been kept erect by artificial means. Occasionally, these combs may 
 be gradually seen falling over after the birds have been some time in 
 the show pen. I prefer to see the comb spring from the beak 
 without any twist or fold. The broader the comb is at the base, 
 and the more firmly it is attached to the head, the better. To my 
 mind any fold on the front is objectionable, and sooner or later will 
 prove a weakness to the erectness and stability of the comb. 
 Starting from the front of the beak, the comb should come well over 
 on to the back of the neck, boldly serrated, and rough in texture. 
 I do not care for those smooth shiny combs, as these we look for in 
 
65 
 
 Spanish. As to the shape of the comb, I think the accompanying 
 illustration of the head of one of Mr. Percy Stafford's cockerels 
 gives a very good idea of what is wanted. The head of the hen is 
 also very good, and probably will be recognised by many Minorca 
 exhibitors as that of a well-known winner. To my mind the way 
 she carries her comb is the correct one, while her lobe is about the 
 size wanted, and of the proper shape. 
 
 I am glad to find there is almost a unanimity of opinion regarding 
 the size of the ears. There can be no denying the fact that there 
 has been a desire to get the ears as large as possible, and to obtain 
 this point recourse has been had to other breeds, with the result 
 that white in the face and smooth combs were at one time very 
 common. These blemishes are gradually disappearing, and I think 
 before long white in the face of a Minorca will be a thing of the 
 past. To breeders I would say. Give up striving after big earlobes, 
 but rather endeavour to reduce their size as well as the size of the 
 comb. With age and frequent exhibiting, it will be found that 
 combs and ears will get quite big enough by the end of the first 
 season. What I should like to call attention to is the size and 
 shape of these birds. With these, as with other breeds, in-and-in 
 breeding has been continued too long for the purpose of obtaining 
 certain properties, at the sacrifice of size and constitution. The 
 Minorca should be a large-bodied and vigorous bird, full of life and 
 activity, with a rich glossy black plumage, and black legs. But 
 instead of this, how often do they appear listless, and small in body, 
 and in shape and carriage more like Spanish — pretty to look at, but 
 certainly not Minorcas. 
 
 From what I hear I shall be greatly disappointed if the classes 
 for Minorcas are not better filled this year than was the case last 
 season, for an unusually large number of chickens have been 
 hatched. The demand for these birds for exportation is also very 
 great, showing that the popularity of the Minorca is still increasing. 
 
 W. J. Nichols. 
 
 Letter No. 12. - 
 
 SiK, — I, among others, have read with very great interest the cor- 
 respondence that has recently appeared in your columns upon the 
 above subject, and may say that on the whole I quite agree with 
 most of the letters which have appeared from prominent Minorca 
 
66 
 
 fanciers. However, I should like to make a few remarks upon 
 them. In the first place, I think all must have been struck with 
 the almost perfect unanimity of opinion which exists among leading 
 fanciers as to what is the " correct type." Now, Sir, it is all very 
 well for exhibitors to be agreed as to what points to breed for, &c. 
 But how often do we find the judges upsetting all their calculations 
 when the cards are distributed. I say distributed ; and it is literally 
 true, for had the cards been distributed by an inexperienced person, 
 they would have been as well placed as was the case at some shows 
 held in the North of England. 
 
 It is very discouraging to an exhibitor when he sends a grand 
 all-round bird to a show, to see it put down, and the prizes given to 
 birds with nothing to recommend them, except in some cases a big, 
 striking lobe, and in others a massive, beefy comb, with scarcely 
 another good point about them. I have been served so myself, and 
 experience has taught me that if I send a bird with some extrav- 
 agant points about it, it generally comes back with a prize (under 
 some judges), and I am bound to admit that I have received prizes 
 for birds which, had I been judging, I should have placed lower 
 down the list. 
 
 If judges would study the " standard " published by the Minorca 
 Club, and judge accordingly, we should soon have done with white 
 in face, and get a better class of Miuorcas generally. The remedy, 
 in my opinion, rests with the judges in a great measure, and if some 
 of them would favour us with their opinions in these columns as to 
 what constitutes a good Minorca, I think this discussion will have 
 done much to popularise and purify one of the most useful breeds 
 of poultry. In conclusion, I may say that, whilst endorsing the 
 remarks of previous correspondents, I think more might be said 
 about the face of a Minorca, which, in my opinion, should be pure 
 coral red, large and flat or level dark eye, and as little hair as 
 possible, with plenty of red showing behind the ear. 
 
 W. E. Gablick. 
 
 Letter No. 13. 
 
 SiK, — I have read with great interest the letters which have 
 appeared in your last three issues, and I trust you will allow me to 
 give your readers a little of my experience. I have been a breeder 
 of Minorcas for twenty-six years, and knew a little about them some 
 eight years earlier, when a boy being constantly with an uncle who 
 
67 
 
 kept them on a small farm for laying purposes. The Minorca must 
 have been thought little of at that time, as I well remember coming 
 with him to Bristol for a sitting of eggs, for which he was charged 
 four shillings per thirteen. I cannot, therefore, agree with your cor- 
 respondent, "Black Legs," when he says they were scarcely seen 
 out of Devon and Cornwall until a few years since. I have been an 
 exhibitor for the past sixteen years. I first exhibited two hens at 
 the Bath and West of England Show held at Bristol. The Live 
 Stock Journal said they were the grandest pair of Minorcas they 
 had seen. 
 
 My experience being of a rather long duration, I am of opinion 
 your Andalusian correspondent knows very little of what a Minorca 
 should Jbe, and I am sure it would take him all his time to manu- 
 facture a Spanish into a good Minorca, as they are so different in size, 
 carriage and colour. I have seen some of these manufactured white- 
 faced mongrels in the show pen, and they have won through judges 
 recognising large lobes and sacrificing the essential point of a red 
 face. These birds have been sold and bred from by people not know- 
 ing what a Minorca should be. In this way so many white-faced 
 birds have appeared in the show pens of late. The lobe was a 
 minor point. Large bodies and combs were the chief points looked 
 for some years ago, but as large lobes and small bodies became 
 fashionable, so the old type of a Minorca almost disappeared ; but I 
 am pleased to see the correct type is fast coming to the front again. 
 To bi^eed large birds is not so easy, especially when kept in confine- 
 ment ; but birds with large combs, sound face, and medium- sized 
 lobes, will be sure to come to the front under an experienced judge. 
 Chickens grow much faster on grass runs. I breed most of my 
 winning birds in small runs, so it is not altogether an impossibility 
 to produce winners in limited spaces. 
 
 A change has taken place since the formation of our club. Some 
 show committees have appointed special judges for this variety, and 
 they have been well rewarded with good entries, and I hope all com- 
 mittees will follow the same example. Still, I must beg to differ 
 with Mr. Pitts when he says previous to the Minorca Club it was 
 quite an exception to see a Minorca with a sound red face. I think 
 it would have been an exception to see one with white in face some 
 eight or nine years ago. I quite agree with Mr. Harwood when he 
 says Minorcas alter very much in appearance in an hour or two. I 
 think some of this is due to fanciers overfeeding and keeping them 
 
in warm, houses before going to shows. I quite agree with the 
 remarks that all winners should be handled. . White in flights 
 should not appear after they have shed the whole of their wing 
 flights. Here let me say a word to young beginners, not to be 
 alarmed on seeing light feathers in their chickens, as these will 
 disappear when they moult, if bred from a good strain. They are 
 all when hatched more or less yellow tinged on tip of wings and 
 under throat. 
 
 I can fully endorse the remarks of Messrs. Pitts, Harwood, 
 Clegg, Harrison and all true Minorca fanciers, w4io are of opinion 
 that a Minorca should have a large, square body, cock's comb 
 medium size, well arched, sound face, medium size, almond-shaped 
 lobe, fitting tight to face. I like to see a large comb on a hen when 
 it is well carried, thick at base, curving a little over bill that the 
 bird may see, and not be inconvenienced throught it. Legs should 
 be black, but they get lighter after the bird is twelve months old. 
 This should be taken into consideration when young and old birds 
 compete together.. F. L. Chappell. 
 
 Lettek No. 14. 
 
 Sir, — It has afforded me a certain amount of pleasure in follow- 
 ing from week to week the different ojpinions expressed by the 
 writers on the above subject, viz., " The Minorca and its Fancy 
 Points." I was very pleased indeed to find this week that Mr. W. 
 J. Nichols had given us his opinion, and I trust most of our judges 
 who are called on to judge Minorcas will express their views 
 through the medium of your paper, and say whether they will side 
 with Minorca fanciers in making white in the face a disqualifica- 
 tion, as it is no use saying white in the face will disqualify if tlie 
 judges hold a different view on the subject ; and another point I 
 should like their opinion on is birds with crooked breasts. Now, I 
 must say that I, for one, do not believe in the perch being the sole 
 cause of this defect. If so, some birds I have handled must roost 
 on very peculiar shaped perches indeed. The cause really lies in 
 too close in-breeding, which laot only causes crooked breast, but 
 makes the bird delicate and small in body. This in-and-in-breed- 
 ing should be avoided. 
 
 There is no doubt in my mind but that a great many fanciers 
 who saw some of the cockerels exhibited last show season were 
 
69 
 
 rather puzzled to tell where they inherited their tremendous large 
 lobes from, if not from the Spanish. I like to see a nice medium- 
 sized lobe, it shows quality, but not one nearly the size of an egg. 
 If you have a bird with a very large lobe he soon begins to get 
 mouldy in face after he is twelve months old, if not before. 
 
 It will be one of the best things that ever happened for the 
 Minorca if this discussion should be the means of stamping out 
 white in face, as nothing, to my mind, is more vexing than to find 
 a bird which you have been building your hopes on, begin to show 
 specks of white in face. There seems to be a difference about the 
 size of the comb. Some like a large comb ; others prefer a small 
 one. I like to see a good-sized comb on a bird (not too large), set 
 well back from the front of the beak (if the front of the comb comes 
 in line with the bird's nostrils, that is plenty far enough), well 
 stayed along each side of the head, a good firm base, free from all 
 hollows, creases, or thumb marks, evenly and boldly serrated, the 
 largest spike in the middle, reaching well back over the head, not 
 too close on the neck, but just showing a little daylight between. 
 And I like to see a comb with a nice finish to it, also beady in 
 texture. The head should be broad and long, as it enables the bird 
 to carry his comb well. Face a pure coral red, not the black-red 
 face smothered in feather, but, as the standard of perfection puts 
 it, as free from hairs and feathers as possible. I like a bird with a 
 good large face, both deep and long, the eye large and full, dark in 
 colour, lobe medium in size. A cockerel with a lobe the size of the 
 one given in your last issue is plenty large enough. Let the lobe 
 be of a nice smooth quality and texture, and fitting close to the 
 face, not piickering out, the gills or wattles broad, medium in 
 length, to correspond with the comb, and free from creases, beak 
 broad and strong, black in colour, body as large as you can possibly 
 get them, the larger the better, showing a good chest, wings well 
 up, carriage of body almost horizontal, tail carried well back, with 
 good long sickles and plenty of furnishing or secondary feathers, 
 well up on the legs as a cockerel (he won't be too stilty when he 
 gets older), showing plenty of thigh ; legs black. As several writers 
 have said, the legs get much lighter with age. Let the body of the 
 bird be evenly balanced on his legs ; also the legs be well apart, 
 and not knock-kneed. Colour of plumage a rich glossy black, and 
 plenty of hackle feather. In conclusion, I hope all breeders and 
 exhibitors of Minorcas will do their utmost to stamp out the defects 
 
70 
 
 which have been mentioned by the several writers on "The Minorca 
 and its Fancy Points," by not having any birds Vv'ith white in the 
 face in their breeding pens ; I also hope Mr. Nichols, as vice- 
 president of the Minorca Club, will do the same. I trust he will 
 do his utmost to get his brother judges to give us their views on the 
 matter in the Stock- Keeper. I think the thanks of all Minorca 
 fanciers are due to you for the kind manner in which you have 
 thrown open your columns for the ventilation of the above subject. 
 Bristol. W. J. Amesbuey. 
 
 Letter No. 15. 
 
 Sir, — I think it's now time " Black Legs " threw off his scales 
 and came out in his true colour ; at any rate, both he and your 
 numerous readers must have derived a deal of pleasure and profit 
 through the discussion on this subject. No one can deny after this 
 but that Minorca fanciers are a genial lot of fellows. Every letter 
 has been couched in terms endeavouring to bring their fancy to 
 that which it formerly was, a bird both in name and possession, 
 " Eed-face Minorca." 
 
 The Minorca in ray time has passed through many vicissitudes, 
 viz., from red faces to white, large combs to small, small lobes to 
 large, and slate or horn- coloured legs to black. Eespecting the first 
 of these, it's an undoubted fact that, previous to 1881, Minorcas 
 were bred true as regards face. In 1879, at the Bath and West of 
 England Show held at Exeter, thence Devonport, Creditou, Yeovil, 
 Torquay, Launceston, and numerous others, I do not remember 
 ever seeing a white-face bird. In 1882 this objectionable point 
 began to make itself manifest, and so it continued to grow until 
 1886, when at Tiverton Show the judge, Mr. Harwood, put his 
 foot down and threw out all with this objectionable point, and 
 again followed up the same line of action at the Minorca Club Show 
 at Bristol, 1888, since which time steady progress has again been 
 made in the right direction. By the bye, it's a good thing for my 
 esteemed friend, Mr. Pitts, that Mr. Eoscorla's voice is silent in the 
 watery deep, and that Jimmy Dole is out of the Minorca fancy, or 
 I am sure they would both raise their voice against his idea that 
 " white faces " were always prominent previous to the formation of 
 the Minorca Club. 
 
 Large, sound combs were the order of the day when I first knew 
 them, and rightly so ; a Minorca is only known by such, and I air^ 
 
71 
 
 pleased to see so many of your writers maintain this point. But 
 with all my liking for this point, I must beg to differ with Mr. 
 Grant Govan when he says the breadth at base of a full-grown 
 Minorca cock should not be less than 1| inch. Of the thousands 
 I have bred and seen I have never as yet come across such a one. 
 An inch at base with a good front is full foundation to carry the 
 largest comb ever seen. Large handsome combs are certainly more 
 difficult to produce (with the necessary carriage), than small ones, 
 but this difficulty can generally be overcome by judicious mating. 
 Small combs are tantamount to lai'ge lobes, the first leading to the 
 smooth and sickly Spanish, the second to the same end in white- 
 face. Small, long lobes were formerly the order, but about the 
 same date as red-faces disappeared large lobes came into existence. 
 I always iiiaintain that a large pure white lobe centred in the midst 
 of a good red-face, comb, and wattle adds greatly to the beauty of 
 the specimen. It is like the finishing touch to the painter's art ; 
 but if large lobes cannot be produced without detracting from the 
 face, dispose of same at once ; but I must here follow Mr. Pitts, 
 that such by careful mating can be produced. It was the sudden 
 change from small lobe to large that caused the white face ; such a 
 decided alteration cannot be effected in a year or so without detri- 
 ment to other points. Undoubtedly Mr. Dixon is responsible for 
 this large lobe craze, and Mr. Harwood for retaining the red face, 
 so both the one incidental^ and the other in reality have led to the 
 present production of birds such as have never been seen before, 
 viz., a good red face with a pure white large lobe. ' 
 
 Legs and feet were previously dark slate or horn-colour. Cer- 
 tainly dark (or, as some of your writers say, black), adds to and 
 improves a black Minorca; the same seem to follow and be in 
 accordance with their lustrous black plumage. All writers seem to 
 agree that as the bird ages the legs have a natural tendency to 
 become light, and I maintain with Mr. Leighton that birds con- 
 stantly running in grass will produce like results, the constant 
 moisture seeming to bleach them. There seems to me a much 
 more objectionable point very prevalent, viz., decided signs of 
 magenta red running over feet and up the shanks, which one should 
 endeavour to rid them of ; I wonder if there is in this country a 
 three-year or even a two-year-old cock or hen with perfectly black 
 legs and feet. 
 
 Again, legs were formerly short ; with a large, square body 
 
72 
 
 almost on the ground ; they have recently risen higher and higher. 
 I admire a Minorca that well shows its thighs, but I cannot have 
 them placed on stilts. I remember seeing last year at Tiverton a 
 bird in the selling class that could take a grain off a three-foot 
 table; ha^ppily same was passed, or Spratts would have to raise 
 their pens. Size is again gradually gaining ground. Let us have 
 a long, straight keel. To show how much this point is dwelt on 
 by our American cousins, in 1887 I had one of them visit me for' 
 whites, and no matter how good their other points were, no crooked 
 breasts would do for him, 8,nd he was simply surprised that we did 
 not dwell on same more in this country. 
 
 I always look back with pleasure on the points of a Minorca, 
 to the originator of my stock, viz., the late Mr. Prin, of Exeter, one 
 of the best old fanciers of his day. Big red faces, to extend over 
 and around the deaf-ear ; large combs ; bulky bodies from 81b. to 
 101b. ; rich, glossy black plumage, with ample feathers in hackle 
 and saddle, and long flowing in tail was his delight. I have now 
 in my possession two tail feathers from his stock that formerly 
 measured 23| inches from quill to tip, but from keeping are now 
 reduced to 22 inches. 
 
 J. Physick. 
 
 Letter No. 16. 
 
 Sir, — I am more than satisfied with the result of my letter 
 respecting the Minorca. It has called forth such a consensus of 
 opinion respecting the questions I raised that I trust our judges in 
 future will not think that a Minorca is only to be judged by the size 
 of its lobes, its comb, and its legginess. All your correspondents 
 have expressed the strongest objection as to white on the face. This 
 is an absolute disqualification, and no bird with such a blemish 
 should ever be seen in the money. Judges now know the feelings of 
 many of the leading breeders and exhibitors, and I hope they will 
 in future carefully look into the faces of these birds, and if they find 
 any white then to pass such specimens. It is the wish of, I think, 
 every breeder ; if not, I hope those who are in favour of white faces 
 will at once say so, otherwise it may be taken for granted that all 
 object to this, and will not tolerate such birds. It has to be stamped 
 out, and the sooner it is done the better. 
 
 Most of the writers prefer small lobes and moderate-sized combs. 
 This, I am pleased to find, is the case, for, as I said, the desire to 
 
73 
 
 get large lobes must ultimately lead to white faces. Combs, with 
 age and frequent exhibiting, will get quite big enough and shaky too, 
 so pray do not let us go in for the monstrosities seen during the last 
 few years. Eough in texture by all means, and firmly attached to 
 the skull, but moderate in size in both sexes, is what breeders 
 should aim to produce and judges encourage as much as possible. 
 Body as large as can be obtained, full and broad at the breast, with 
 a flowing tail, not carried high ; legs — well, I must confess I do like 
 to see them a little high on the legs, especially when yoimg, for we 
 do not want to see a Minorca of the shape of a Dorking. The 
 former is more active and sprightly than the Dorking, and, to my 
 mind, a more graceful bird. In the colour of their plumage I like 
 the feathers to be of deep black glossy colour, and, if possible, free 
 from a purple tinge, as is too often the case. Legs as dark as they 
 can be got, black preferred, for, as your correspondents very justly 
 remark, these get lighter with age. 
 
 One question has cropped up which I certainly had not thought 
 of, for during the years that I have bred Minorcas I so seldom have 
 had birds with crooked breasts that hitherto I have paid very little 
 attention to this. I can, however, easily understand that when 
 in-and-in breeding has been carried on too closely, the stamina and 
 size of the birds must deteriorate. But to imagine that crooked 
 breasts result from the birds roosting on narrow perches or on the 
 branches of trees, is a delusion. Give the birds a perch they can 
 grasp, and the feet naturally and tightly close around this, but with 
 a broad perch they cannot do so. Crooked breasts are seldom met 
 with in any variety of wild birds, yet they roost on trees from the 
 time they are able to fly. Whether Minorcas, any more than 
 Dorkings, with crooked breasts should be thrown out of the prize- 
 list is a most important question, and I hardly like to express any 
 decided opinion on the subject. It, however, seems to me that it 
 would be rather unfair to pass such birds solely for this fault, for it 
 should be remembered the Minorca is not a table fowl like the 
 Dorking, and yet how many of the latter, with any but straight 
 breasts, win in the keenest competition and under the most com- 
 petent judges. Such being the case, I do not expect to find judges 
 passing Minorcas simply because they are not straight in the breast. 
 
 In conclusion, I may say I was aware that a standard had been 
 issued by the club, but it seemed to me that although such a 
 standard has been drawn up and recognised, yet some judges appear 
 5 
 
74 
 
 to ignore this. But I hope, now that attention has been called to 
 the subject in your columns, we shall in future see the awards made 
 more consistently, and in accordance with the standard. To all of 
 your correspondents I tender my best thanks for the consideration 
 shown to me, and for the ready and courteous manner in which 
 they have given their views. Most valuable and practical information 
 has been obtained, which will prove useful to many. Although 
 invited to come out of my shell I still prefer to be known as 
 
 "Blacklegs." 
 
 Paper read before the Members of the Birmingham and Mid-England 
 Poultry Society, by the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. John Snell, on 
 April 2nd, 1890. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, — The subject of my paper to you this 
 evening " The Minorca," is one that at the present time carries with 
 it no little interest, and, I might say, an almost unprecedented 
 enthusiasm and ambition amongst the many admirers and breeders 
 of this now far-famed variety. The task might well have fallen on 
 a more experienced fancier than myself, and I therefore ask your 
 kind indulgence while I endeavour, to the best of my ability, to 
 make my subject as interesting and instructive as possible. I shall 
 not be far wrong in asserting that the rapid strides made by the 
 Minorca during the past few years is almost without a parallel in 
 the history of our feathered tribes. It is not confined alone to this 
 country; our neighbours across the "herring pond," and on the 
 Continent, have taken a great fancy to them, and we are con- 
 tinually hearing of large consignments being forwarded to almost 
 every quarter of the globe. I attribute a great measure of this 
 success to the efforts of the Minorca Club. That the club is doing 
 a good work, and carrying out the object for which the society was 
 formed is apparent, and the club deserves the heartiest support of 
 the Minorca breeders of this country. The large classes seen at 
 shows testify to their advancement, and I trust the future may still 
 further enhance their claim to rank among our leading varieties. 
 
 The home of the Minorca in this country may justly be claimed 
 by the south-western counties of England, where they are largely 
 bred, irrespective of show points, to supply eggs for market pur- 
 poses. During a recent visit through Cornwall I was much struck 
 by the great numbers I saw at almost every homestead. As layers 
 they are perhaps unequalled, certainly not surpassed, by any other 
 
75 
 
 variety. During the many years I have kept them I have had 
 many exceptionally good layers, and others just the reverse. Their 
 eggs, as a rule, are large and perfectly white. I have a hen in my 
 possession, now laying her fifth season, that has been a marvel at 
 her work. Last year within a fortnight she contributed as her mite 
 five eggs that weighed 25oz. I presented one to a member of this 
 society, and he informed me it was the largest he had ever seen. 
 They were, of course, double-yoked, but were perfect in shape, and 
 well shelled. A dozen eggs from my breeding-pen in January last 
 weighed SOgOz. Minorcas are non-sitters, although they have been 
 known to sit and rear their young. They, however, can rarely be 
 depended upon. They are very hardy, and good foragers. Their 
 disposition is lively, and it is a treat to see a flock foraging in the 
 field, their lustrous black plumage and rich, red combs, contrasted 
 so conspicuously by their white ear-lobes, rendering them objects 
 of great admiration. I have found them only moderate eaters com- 
 pared with other breeds I have kept. With free range a flock can 
 be well fed and maintained in good condition at about one penny 
 per head per week. They can scarcely be placed in the category of 
 a good table-fowl, yet in the hands of an experienced cook we have 
 found them not to be ignored in this respect. They are small in 
 bone, flesh exceedingly fine, of good flavour, and beautifully white. 
 As a fancier's variety good birds are in great demand, generally 
 realising a price that a few years since would be thought exorbitant. 
 It has occurred to me that from some cause their size is sadly 
 on the wane ; whether we may attribute this to in-breeding, over- 
 stimulating foods, or other causes, I must leave to others more ex- 
 perienced and competent than myself in these matters. Size, to- 
 gether with a sound red face is a sure foundation to work upon ; I 
 do not say they are the only points to be considered, but I do con- 
 tend they are the primary ones ; we cannot, however, ignore the 
 fact that while we have lost in size, we have made great headway 
 in style. The coloured illustration issued some time ago of a pair 
 of black Minorcas, the property of Mr. A. G. Pitts, of Highbridge, 
 and engraved by our president, Mr. J. W. Ludlow, has been con- 
 sidered by many a good example. A later illustration, which ap- 
 peared in the Stock-Kbepbe, a few weeks since, is really a good 
 type of bird ; of the two I prefer the latter, and for this reason : the 
 tail of the male bird in the coloured illustration is carried far too high, 
 and, in my opinion, this constitutes a serious fault. It is seldom, 
 
76 
 
 however, we get the privilege of a peep at such specimens as these. 
 We now come to that most important point, white in face. I fear 
 this defect will not be eradicated as long as fanciers persist in breed- 
 ing stock with such immense lobes, and our judges, by their awards 
 to such exhibits, encouraging the same. For my part I would pass 
 any birds showing this defect, however good they might be in other 
 respects. If the standard issued for this variety is a recognised 
 one (and I have never heard that it is not so), let us loyally carry 
 it out. Any exhibit showing distinct traces of white in face has no 
 claim to consideration; the defect is fatal. Fanciers would soon 
 tire of sending such birds to shows if they were passed over a few 
 times. It is satisfactory to note that some of our judges are really 
 in earnest in the matter, and are determined to pass over such 
 exhibits. Would that all would go and do likewise. Another great 
 fault we are drifting into, high tails. I have noticed this at many 
 of the shows I have attended during the past season. I like to see 
 the tail carried well away to the rear ; it adds in no small degree to 
 the symmetry and attractiveness of a specimen good in other re- 
 spects. The comb should be as large as possible, provided in the 
 male bird it is carried perfectly erect, not too smooth or rough in 
 texture, evenly serrated, free from side dents, and reaching well back 
 over the head. To carry a large comb upright, the base should be 
 thick, and well set on a broad and long head ; in the female the 
 comb should fall gracefully over side of face, slightly arched in front. 
 The fashion at present seems to be immense combs ; I am no great 
 admirer of such, I prefer them as large as possible, provided it does 
 not interfere with the carriage and symmetry of the bird. I have 
 often seen these heavy-combed birds moving about with their heads 
 almost touching the ground, first looking one side, then trying to 
 look the other, and to all appearances objects of misery. Lobes of 
 moderate size, almond-shaped, smooth and well fitted on side of 
 head ; wattles long as possible, same texture as comb ; plumage, 
 glossy green black ; plenty of thigh is an important point, and legs 
 as dark as possible. Weight. — Cocks, 6;llb. to 8^1b. ; hens, 51b. to 
 71b., the latter weight, however, being somewhat rare. 
 
 I should like to impress upon you the desirability of judicious 
 and careful consideration in the mating of your birds. Use your 
 best endeavours to stamp out this detestable white in face; breed 
 only from specimens with sound red faces. I know from experience 
 it is a matter that will not easily be accomplished, but perseverance 
 
77 
 
 will not go unrewarded. We have among the members of this 
 society many of the leading Minorca fanciers of the day, and every 
 month adds to the number. We cannot all be challenge cup win- 
 ners, but we can, one and all, do something to improve and uphold 
 the good name of the variety on which much of our time, care and 
 money is so often lavished. I thank you, gentlemen, for the oppor- 
 tunity you have afforded me this evening of laying before you my 
 views respecting the variety of which I am an ardent admirer; to do 
 them ample justice requires an abler pen than mine. Their pro- 
 gress has been a rapid one, and let us, one and all, endeavour to 
 retain for them the reputation they have so honourably won. 
 
78 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 TECHNICAL TEEMS. 
 
 Brood. — A family of chickens all (or nearly all) of the same age, in 
 charge of one hen. 
 
 Broody. — Desiring to sit or incubate. In some districts called 
 " sittie." 
 
 Carriage. — The natural bearing or " style " in which a bird carries 
 its body erect or otherwise. 
 
 Chick. — A newly hatched fowl generally only used for the first 
 few weeks. 
 
 Chicken. — Young fowls of any age under twelve months. 
 
 Clutch. — A batch of eggs sat upon by a hen or placed in an 
 incubator. Sometimes used as another term for " brood." 
 
 Cockerel. — A male bird under twelve months of age. The term 
 is seldom applied to a bird after the end of the year in which it was 
 hatched. 
 
 Comb. — The red growth on the top of a fowl's head. 
 
 Condition. — The state of a fowl's health particularly shown in 
 the beauty of its plumage and its sprightly movements. 
 
 Crop. — A bag or receptacle which may be felt in front of the 
 breast bone, and in which the food is stored before digestion. 
 
 Cushioyi. — The feathers which spring from the hidden portion of 
 a bird's back, and which cover the roots of the tail feathers. 
 
 Dubbing. — Eemoval of any portion of the comb-wattles, &c. 
 This is occasionally done when a Minorca cock's comb gets very 
 large. It is said to make him more vigorous. 
 
 Ear-lobes. — The folds of white skin hanging from the ears. 
 These are sometimes called " Deaf ears," but more frequently known 
 as lobes. 
 
 Face. — The bare skin extending from the beak, round the eyes to 
 the ears. In the Minorca should be a bright blood red. Mouldy face 
 implies that the face, instead of being sound red in colour, appears to 
 
79 
 
 be covered with a slight tinge of white all over. Ticked face implies 
 that a few spots of white have begun to appear on the red. Hairy 
 face implies that there are a quantity of small hairs growing on the 
 face. Gipsy face implies that the face instead of being of a bright 
 red colour is of a very dark almost black tinge. 
 
 Folded lobes. — The lobes folded so that the centre shrinks back 
 and the tips come forward. 
 
 Fan tail. — The feathers of the tail spread out in the shape of a 
 fan. The opposite of a whip tail. 
 
 Flights. — The long wing feathers which are used in flying, but 
 are tucked up when not in use. 
 
 Fluff. — -The soft downy feathers on and about the thighs. 
 
 Furnished. — When a bird has completely assumed its adult 
 plumage — full tail and hackles — and its comb, lobes and wattles are 
 fully grown, it is said to be furnished. 
 
 Gills. — Another (generally local) term for wattles. 
 
 Hackles. — The long narrow-pointed feathers which grow on the 
 neck and cushion of a cock. In the hen they are round pointed. 
 Those feathers growing from the cushion are usually called " the 
 saddle hackle," whilst the term " hackle " alone generally means 
 the neck feathers. 
 
 Hock. — The joint in the leg between the leg and the thigh. 
 
 Keel. — Another name for breast bone. 
 
 Leg. — Eefers only to the portion covered with scales. 
 
 Primaries. — Another name for flights. 
 
 Ptillet. — A young hen of current year (see Cockerel.) 
 
 Saddle. — The hinder part of the back. 
 
 Secondaries. — -The quill feathers of the wing, which may he seen 
 whilst the bird is resting, where they cover the flights, sometimes 
 called lower butts. 
 
 Shaft. — The stem or quill of a feather. 
 
 Shank. — Another term for the scaly part of the leg. 
 
 Sickles. — The long curved feathers of the tail. 
 
 Shoulder Butts. — The end of the wings near the shoulder. 
 
 Snakey. — A term implying length of head and neck. 
 
 Sidesprigs.—GxoY^th^ at the side of the comb. 
 
 Squirrel tailed. — The carriage of the tail over the back towards 
 the head. 
 
 Spurs. — The horny growths on the inside of the leg just above 
 the foot used by the cock in fighting. Sometimes they appear on 
 
80 
 
 hens, and even pullets have been known to have them w^ell de- 
 veloped. 
 
 Strain. — A race or family of fowls which by careful breeding and 
 selection have acquired an individual character which they are sure 
 to reproduce. 
 
 Symmetry. — The perfect proportion of each part of the body, 
 every part balancing the other exactly, and all conforming to 
 complete a perfect whole. 
 
 Stained Lobes. — The lobes being spotted or patched with red, 
 oftentimes caused by the wind. 
 
 Thumb Marks. — Hollow places on tbe side of the comb. 
 
 Tucked Lobe. — The lobe puckered or creased, so that the centre 
 projects outwards instead of being flat. 
 
 Tail Coverts. — The short, soft, curved, glossy feathers at the 
 bottom of the tail. 
 
 Timber. — The quantity of bone in due proportion to the size of 
 the bird. 
 
 Tail. — The straight stiff feathers inside the sickles and tail 
 coverts. 
 
 Thighs. — The top joint of the leg covered with feathers. 
 
 Trio. — A cock or cockerel with a couple of hens or pullets. 
 
 White. — Face spots or streaks of white on the red face. 
 
 Wry Tail. — The carriage of the tail to either side out of the 
 straight. 
 
 Whip Tail. — The carriage of the tail feathers close together 
 clipping them lightly. 
 
 Wattles. — The red appendages growing under the beak, some- 
 times called gills. 
 
 1. 
 
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