The distinction of sex is not very manifest till they are
nearly full grown, the first observable indication being in
the tail. That of the pullet is carried uprightly, as it
ought to be, but in the cockerel it remain#depressed,
awaiting the growth of the sickle feathers. It is re-
markable that the golden Polish cock brings as true
silver chicks, and those stronger, with the silver Polish
hen, as the silver Polish cock would.
The silver Polands have all the habits of their golden
companions; the main difference being the silvery
ground instead of the golden. The silver variety will
sometimes even make its appearance if you breed merely
the golden sort, exactly as the black Polish produce now
and then some pure white chicks that make very elegant
birds. An attempt has been made in England to ob-
tain the black topknotted, white, Polish from these, by
acting on the imagination of the parents. The experi-
ment failed, though similar schemes have been said to
succeed with animals; it proved, however, one thing—
namely, that it will not do to breed from the white Polish
as aseparate breed. Being albinos, the chicks come
very weakly, and few survive. On the other hand, trust
to chance for an occasional white one among the black,
and you may get a fine bird.
There is a singular variety of the Polish, which has
the entire plumage of a uniform slaty dun color. Other
curious combinations of color are probably to be found


66 THE DOMESTIC FOWL.
