rtened. The orifice of the nostrils raised and
crescentic. Beak short. Comb absent, or small and of crescentic shape;
wattles either present or replaced by a beard-like tuft of feathers.
Legs leaden-blue. Sexual differences appear late in life. Do not
incubate. There are several beautiful varieties which differ in colour
and slightly in other respects.

[Illustration: Fig. 31.--Hamburgh Fowl.]

The following sub-breeds agree in having a crest, more or less
developed, with the comb, when present, of crescentic shape. The skull
presents nearly the same remarkable peculiarities of structure as in
the true Polish fowl.

Sub-breed (_a_) _Sultans_.--A Turkish breed, resembling white Polish
fowls, with a large crest and beard, with short and well-feathered
legs. The tail is furnished with additional sickle feathers. Do not
incubate.[362]

Sub-breed (_b_) _Ptarmigans_.--An inferior breed closely allied to the
last, white, rather small, legs much feathered, with the crest pointed;
comb small, cupped; wattles small.

{229}

Sub-breed (_c_) _Ghoondooks_.--Another Turkish breed having an
extraordinary appearance; black and tailless; crest and beard large;
legs feathered. The inner processes of the two nasal bones come into
contact with each other, owing to the complete absorption of the
ascending branches of the premaxillaries. I have seen an allied, white,
tailless breed from Turkey.

[Illustration: Fig. 32.--Polish Fowl.]

Sub-breed (_d_) _Creve-coeur_.--A French breed of large size, barely
capable of flight, with short black legs, head crested, comb produced
into two points or horns, sometimes a little branched like the horns of
a stag; both beard and wattles present. Eggs large. Disposition
quiet.[363]

Sub-breed (_e_) _Horned fowl_.--With a small crest; comb produced into
two great points, supported on two bony protuberances.

Sub-breed (_f_) _Houdan_.--A French breed; of moderate size,
short-legged with five toes, wings well developed; plumage invariably
mottled with {230} black, white, and straw-yellow; head furnished with
a crest, and a triple comb placed transversely; both wattles and beard
present.[364]

Sub-breed (_g_) _Guelderlands_.--No comb, head said to be surmounted by
a longitudinal crest of soft velvety feathers; nostrils said to be
crescentic