Comb, the fleshy outgrowth on the head. Single comb, a thin, upright comb. Rose comb, a flat comb with a rough or corrugated surface. Pea comb, resembling three single combs, united at the back. Wattles, the fleshy outgrowths from the underside of the throat. Ear lobes, the fleshy structure in the region of the ear. Under-color, the color noted when the coverts are raised. Hackle, the feathers on the neck. Cape, the feathers back of the hackle. Saddle, the feathers in the posterior region of the back. Sickle, the curved feathers of the tail in the cock. Penciling, small stripes or color markings on the feather. Spangling, large spots or splotches of color on the feather. Shanks, the exposed scaly portions of the legs, usually spoken of as the "legs."

Questions and observations.
  1. Make a diagrammatic sketch of a fowl and locate the principal regions used in the description of the various breeds.
  2. Observing the specimens or the pictures of the fowls at hand, note the size and kind of comb, the appearance of the wattles, the color of the eyes and ear lobes, the color in the various regions of the body, the color and any peculiarity of the legs and feet. If you wish, you may record your answers in tabular form.
Topics for investigation.
  1. Look up and report upon the average number of eggs laid annually, and the number of eggs to the pound, in the case of the Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Dorking, Brahma, Leghorn, and Minorca.
  2. Explain the terms "non-setter" and "winter layer."
  3. When do hens moult? How does this affect the laying? What schemes have poultry men to bring this moulting at the most favorable season?
  4. What is a "balanced ration" as applied to fowls? What are some methods of feeding which tend to secure greater egg-production?
  5. Explain some of the special features of such methods of housing and keeping chickens as the Philo System, Corning System, etc.
  6. What precautions must be taken in raising chickens so as to prevent disease and attacks of enemies?
  7. What does it cost per year to keep a dozen hens? How many can a person keep profitably on a city lot, if he is not to make a special business of chicken raising?
  8. How do chickens solve the problem of the garbage can?
  9. What are some of the objections made to keeping chickens in the city? Are these objections well founded, and if so how may they be met?
  10. Find out what breeds of chickens are kept in your neighborhood, and note some of the reasons that are given for keeping these particular breeds.

GLOSSARY

Ab do' men, (1) the hinder portion of the body of an invertebrate; (2) of higher animals, the region or cavity containing the stomach, intestine, etc.

Al bu' men, (1) a proteid substance; (2) "white of egg."