The scales thus given were found to represent very correctly
modern judging, so far as such a limited number of points
could do so ; but on the publication of the American " Standard
of Excellence," soon. after the second edition of this work was
issued, we became at once convinced of the infinite superiority
of a scale of 1 00 points, as giving room for gradation in
deducting values. The American scale for Brahmas followed
our scale for the hen almost exactly, only modifying it as



Chap, v.] American Scale of Points. 141

regards head and comb by our scale for the cock : and as
the scale for this breed was adopted after a longer and more
searching discussion than was bestowed upon any other, this
result furnished a most gratifying testimony to the general
accuracy of our calculations. This American scale stood as
follows : —

AMERICAN SCALE OP "POINTS IN BRAHMAS."

Size - 15

Head and Wattles 5

Comb - - - 10
Wings — primaries well tucked under

secondaries 10

Legs, Colour and Feathering of 5

FluflF .... 5

Tail, Form and Carriage of 5

Colour ... 20

Symmetry - 15

Condition 10



This scale will judge Brahmas with very great accuracy ;
but it still omits to provide for the difference in values of the
two sexes ; and we have ultimately become convinced that for
simplicity of application, accuracy, and comprehensiveness,
the best system by far is to attach values to defects only,
rather than to points of merit. Greater accuracy is thus
secured, because it is no longer needed to keep the sum total
of defects exactly within the lOO points, since some defects
contradict or are inconsistent with others ; and we have only
therefore to calculate by analysis of what are considered



142 I'lie Brahma Fowl. [Chap. \.
