Polish chickens are a long-established breed with record dating back to the 16th century. They were originally known as Paduan or Patavinian fowls and are known as Polish Large Fowls in the British Poultry Standard. Polish chicks are known for having feathers that grow from a knob in the skull of their head, giving them a recognizable crest. Black Crested White Polish were bred in Holland as early as 1475. Some say the breed went extinct, but apparently a small gene pool remained, and there is record of the variety being shown in 1856. Black Crested White chicks have black heads and crests. Their body is primarily smoky grey with some having black with gray streaks. If a comb is present, it is of the V-type, and they have clean, gray or slaty blue legs. Adults have white plumage throughout the body with a black crest. The upper part of the neck and breast may have some black edging.