Breeds of the Domestic Fowl. 325 



take some few years' careful selection to obtain the required 

 markings of the cocks in a perfect state. 



Several distinct varieties exist in the smaller forms known 

 as Bantams; the Japanese (fig. 19) is one of the most 

 strongly characterized, the tail being of large size, the legs 

 short, and the breast very prominent. The Japanese Bantam 



FLr. 19. 





Japanese Bantam. 



shows that, in spite of the difficulty, colour can be localized 

 in the fowl — the tails of many of these birds being black, 

 the remainder of the plumage white. In breeding Pigeons 

 nothing is easier than to localize colour, and to breed birds 

 with black tails and white bodies, or yellow wings on a white 

 ground &c, as may be desired ; but in fowls such feats in 

 breeding are very difficult and of rare accomplishment — facts, 



