824 THE SMOOTH-LEGGED BANTAM. 



flowing tail, waggish impudent eye, self-satisfied air and gait. 

 The Hen is of a duller jetty black, is less knowing in her man- 

 ner, and I think in every way of inferior capacity. They 

 have great credit for fulfilling their maternal duties well ; but 

 I have found them less affectionate and careful than other 

 Bantams. They are great stayers at home, prowling very little 

 about, and therefore are desirable in many situations, such as 

 suburban villas that are surrounded by captious neighbours. 

 They will remain contented with the range of a moderate stable- 

 yard, and the least bit of shrubbery ; and will do much good by 

 the consumption of numerous insects. They are reputed good 

 layers during winter ; but that will depend on the liberality 

 with which they are fed. Cooks say that their Eggs, though 

 small, are "very rich," which means, perhaps, that they con- 

 tain a greater proportion of yolk than those of larger Fowls. 

 Guinea Fowls' Eggs are prized for the same quality ; and any 

 one may, at breakfast, observe how much less a proportion of 

 white there is in them, than in those of the Turkey. Black 

 Bantams' Eggs are smooth, tinged with buff, decidedly long- 

 oval in most individuals, and with a zone of irregularity 

 towards the smaller end in some. 



The new Chicks are covered with black down, which occa- 

 sionally has a grayish cast under the belly : bill, eyes, feet, 

 and legs, black. The female Chicks are not bigger than the 

 queen of the black and yellow humble-bees, and their slender 

 little legs appear fitter to belong to an insect than a Chicken. 

 A desire to obtain the largest possible brood, induced me to 

 hatch some under a great Dorking Hen, because she can cover 

 so many Eggs ; but I only overreached myself. The big Hen 

 was too heavy and clumsy to officiate as nurse to such fragile 

 atoms. 



When brought up by their own mother, a spent cucumber- 

 frame, covered with a net, is a good place to keep them the first 

 month. The hottest and finest part of the season should be 



