_The Face._—One of our chief difficulties in breeding Hamburgs is the tendency to white in the face, which should be a deep, rich crimson, almost scarlet. A white face is a positive disqualification, and a dark gypsy face much to be avoided. Both these latter defects owe their origin to the Spanish cross, although white specks in the face will often appear in pure-bred birds as they advance in age. By careful breeding, and judiciously selecting those cocks which retain a pure red face, this may be entirely bred out, while breeding from birds showing the white face fixes the defect in the progeny, and causes much trouble to the breeder before it can be eradicated. It is rare to find a two or three-year-old cock which does not show a patch of white under the eye or near the ear-lobe; but the graver and more common the fault, the more pains should be taken to breed it out, and we have no doubt but the time will soon come when such a thing as a white-specked face in the show room will be unknown. We trust efforts will be made in this direction.
_Legs and Tail._—The legs should be a _dark_, leaden blue, approaching black, in young birds, as the tendency is to grow light with age. Light blue legs in a cockerel or pullet are very objectionable.
The tail in male birds should be long, well curved, and graceful, flowing rather backward from the rump. A squirrel tail is a grave fault—a disqualification, in fact—as is also a wry tail or one carried constantly to one side. Wry tails have various causes, originating sometimes from accident, but they are often hereditary, and wry-tailed birds should never be used for breeding. Often the cramped quarters of an exhibition coop will render a bird temporarily wry-tailed, or rather induce it for a time to carry it to one side. This will usually disappear when the bird is given full range, but is quite an unfortunate circumstance, as a prize bird is often thrown out on this account.
_Symmetry._—This means a great deal in Hamburgs; and as no breed is more symmetrical or graceful in form, particular pains should be taken to prevent them from running into a Game or Dorking shape. We have often seen breeders send birds to the show room which were good in all other points, but most degenerate in symmetry. We heard a prominent judge say lately that “symmetry could not be expressed; it was something about which every man had his own ideas, and applied to birds according to his judgment.” Each breed has its distinct symmetry of proportions, and it would be no more absurd to expect a Cochin shape on a Hamburg than it is to admit a Hamburg to be well proportioned with the slender neck, long legs, and high station of a Game, or the heavy, square and dumpy appearance of the Dorking. In fact they must be _real Hamburgs_ in shape; neck medium length, and carried well over the back; back not very long or very short; breast full, prominent and wide; wings good size, the points carried comparatively low; tail ample and well spread out, and carried rather erect; thighs well rounded and of medium length; shanks slender, smooth and neat; carriage showing gracefulness and activity. By no means must they carry the idea of being Black Dorkings, or Rose-combed Spanish, or worse yet, untrimmed Games. Avoid also narrow bodies and whip tails.