Description of Bantams 81 



BANTAM 



The Bantams are purely fancy or ornamental 

 breeds. There are many varieties. While some 

 breeders maintain that they can be profitably kept 

 for eggs and for the table, yet on account of their 

 diminutive size they cannot compete with the 

 larger breeds. As ponies represent the chil- 

 dren's horse and are in a way ornamental, so do 

 the Bantams occupy a similar position among 

 fowls. They are often reared as children's pets 

 and undoubtedly afford a great deal of pleasure 

 for both young and old. Among the most com- 

 mon and popular varieties of Bantams may be 

 mentioned the Black, White, Bun , and Partridge 

 Cochin; Dark and Light Brahma; Golden and 

 Silver Sebright ; White-crested and White Pol- 

 ish; Buff L'aced, Japanese, and many varieties 

 of Games. Probably the Golden and the Silver 

 Sebright and the Buff Cochin are quite as pop- 

 ular as any. 



For exhibition purposes the plumage and form 

 of these miniature representatives correspond 

 closely to the varieties of larger fowls. Small 

 size is preferred. There seems to be a marked 

 tendency on the part of some varieties of Ban- 

 tams to revert to the larger fowls from which 

 they were derived. 



