Weekly Post  Sep 30 1905

A Freak Chicken

To the editor of the  "Birmingham Weekly Post".
Sir- The accompanying illustration depicts one of a natures vagaries in the 
poultry world. It is one of a hatch of Plymouth Rock chickens, bred by Mr A. 
Barker, of 468, Birchfield Road, Perry Barr, the "sitting " of eggs  being 
purchased locally. As will be seen the freak has four legs-two in the normal 
position and two others protruding from its back a little to the rear of the 
natural position of the wings, one on either side. Another peculiarity about the 
bird is that it has four wings. Nature in this case has less regard for symmetry 
even than in the case of the legs, about which there is some semblance of 
regularity in the position. Although the chick is provided with a pair of wings 
in the normal position, a second pair shows, one about the middle of the back 
and another on the breast. Its bill also is contrary to the usual order of 
things, the shorter (or under-part in the normal bird) portion being at the top, 
and the longer part at the bottom. The freak did not long survive escape from 
the egg, being found dead in the nest on the morning's first expectant 
examination. The owner of the curiosity has had it set up.-F.J. SEDGWICK