80 



THE BIRDS 



to raise. There are two main groups of Bantams, the Game 

 and the Ornamental, and the Game Bantams are subdivided 

 into a number of varieties similar in shape and color to the 

 standard Game fowls. As a rule, the best Game Bantam 

 resembles the standard Game in every respect, except size. 

 The smaller they can be bred and yet conform to type, the 

 better they are. Small Game Bantams weigh only a few 

 ounces, yet possess the style, symmetry, and alertness of 

 the large Game. The Ornamental group are the most inter- 

 esting to young people. 

 The Asiatic Bantams, 

 namely the Brahma 

 and Cochin, lead in 

 popularity, while the 

 little Buff Cochin is 

 one of the most com- 

 mon and interesting. 

 These have the typical 

 body shape and color 

 of the large Buff Cochin, 

 but weigh only about 

 fourteen ounces, as com- 

 pared with the eight 

 or nine pounds of the large Cochin. The Sea Bright 

 Cochins are distinguished by a beautiful plumage pat- 

 tern, and an alert, upright carriage. The Rose Comb 

 Bantams are another group always seen at poultry shows; 

 they are bred extensively for pleasure. Bantams may be 

 produced from any standard breed by constantly selecting 

 the small adults for breeding, and hatching year after year 

 the smallest eggs laid by the-smallest fowls. If kept up con- 

 tinually, this practice will result in very small and dwarfed 

 specimens. 



Association. Certain breeds of poultry are often kept for 

 the simple reason that the poultryman has become attached 



FIG. 54. Black-tailed Japanese Bantams. 

 These very small birds make excellent pets for 

 the little folks. (Photo by Urban Farms, Buf- 

 falo, N. Y.) 



