POULTRY. 539 



being admissible; the ear-lobes should also be red instead of white, as in the Black; these 

 being the only essential differences in the two varieties. In all other respects, consequently, 

 what we have said of the Black Bantams will apply to the &quot;White. 



The points, as given above, ai-e in accordance with the American Standard, but we find 

 that the English Standard requires for this breed dark legs and beak, and white ear-lobes, 

 making the only essential difference between the two varieties Black and White the color 

 of plumage. &quot;We certainly think &quot; Brother Jonathan &quot; shows a decidedly better taste in this 

 respect than &quot; John Bull,&quot; since, with a pure white plumage, the contrast of the bright-red 

 ear-lobes would produce more of beauty in the effect than the white, which would give a 

 sickly appearance to a white-plumaged bird. &quot;We admit that white ear-lobes, with black 

 plumage, add much to the beauty of a fowl, and with the bright-red wattles and comb make 

 a very pleasing contrast. It is doubtless a matter of surprise and amusement to many of the 

 uninitiated in the mysteries and interests of poultry breeding that fanciers should be so par 

 ticular about the minor details of a fowl, such as the color of an ear-lobe or the tint of the 

 beak; but when they come to understand the subject more fully, they will find that it is only 

 by the greatest care and patient, persistent efforts in all such seemingly minor matters that 

 our to-day valuable and beautiful breeds of poultry have been produced, and great credit is 

 due those who have accomplished such truly wonderful results! 



Those birds having the points of the wings drooping so as nearly to touch the ground 

 are considered the most beautiful and desirable. Like all the Bantam varieties, thej are 

 very pretty pets. 



Booted White Bantams. This is one of the oldest known Bantam breeds. They 

 are very tame and hardy, and also exceedingly happy and contented in their dispositions. 

 One writer has said of them: &quot;They are -the gamiest little fellows imaginable; pick up a cock 

 from the yard, and he will crow in your very hands in the most defiant way. They are very 

 prolific, though the eggs are not much larger than pigeons eggs; and the hens make admirable 

 sitters and mothers; but sometimes the length of the hocks makes them roll the eggs from 

 the nest when leaving it. Three little hens I now have, with their chickens are making the 

 most exemplary mothers.&quot; They are also harmless in a garden, or at least can do but very 

 little injury, even in a flower garden, the long feathers on their legs making it very difficult 

 for them to scratch; for this reason they would be just the breed for one to keep who had 

 only a small yard or garden to keep them In, and consequently had no run for larger fowls. 



The smallest specimens are considered the most desirable; their manner is very pompous, 

 the carriage being upright and strutting, carrying the head well back toward the tail. The 

 beak and legs are either white or yellow, though the white is preferred. The comb is bright 

 red and single, the neck curving well back, and the hackle pure white, like the entire 

 plumage. Their breast is round and carried quite prominently forward, while the body is 

 short and compact. The wings droop somewhat; the tail is furnished with nice, long sickle 

 feathers and is quite full and carried upright. The legs should be heavily booted and 

 hocked, the latter feathers nearly touching the ground; the more heavily the legs are 

 feathered the better. It is said by those most familiar with this breed, that they are quite 

 liable to get sunburnt, like most white-plumaged birds, and when kept exposed to a strong 

 sunlight without any shade, the neck hackles will turn yellow, which, of course, greatly mars 

 their beauty. This can, however, be obviated, by having trees and other shade for their 

 protection. 



Golden Sebright Bantams. &quot;With regard to the origin of this beautiful little fowl, 

 as well as the Silver Sebrights, we can give no better account than that already given by Mr. 

 &quot;Wright in his Book of Poultry: &quot; The beautiful Gold and Silver Laced Bantams, also very 

 commonly called Sebright Bantams, are perhaps the most extraordinary proof of what can 



