Sumatra

The Sumatra, which comes from the island of Sumatra or the Malay Archipelago, was admitted to the American Standard in 1883. With the help of Lewis Wright and Frederick R. Eaton the British Standard was drawn up in 1906 under the name of Black Sumatra. A long, flowing tail, carried horizontally, and a pheasant-like carriage are distinguishing characteristics. Sumatras are prolific layers of white eggs and excellent sitters, especially being used to hatch waterfowl. In the late 1970s, a strain of bantams was recreated.