BANTAM FOWLS. 167 



The Seabriglit Bantams may be well called the minikin of fowls. 

 Their diminutive size is really extraordinary. We have occasionally 

 seen them not much larger than a pouter pigeon. In passing an 

 aviary, not long since, where they are kept, we were quite amused 

 at the colloquy of a countryman a green arrival from Yankeedom. 

 A proud, high-spirited little fellow, perched on the top of a coop, 

 was crowing away to every passer-by, lustily, enough, " Cock-a-doo- 

 dle-du-u-e." "Why, you don't say so," said he, arrested with evident 

 surprise at the shrill, consequential challenge of Mr. Minikin. "Now, 

 du tell, will yer, my little bossy calf, whether you ra-ally be a rooster 

 or a quail ? " " Cock-a-doo-dle-doo," and a smart, proud flap of the 

 wings, with a comical wink of the eye, was the gallant Seabright's 

 prompt reply. " Oh, ho ! then you be a ra-al rooster man, hey ? 

 Why, I kinder thought, like Gineral Tom thumb, you had just cleared 

 your shell, and been stuck over with feathers, to make a show here, 

 you little winky " " Cock-a-doo-dle-doo, cur-ragh-r-r-r," with a ruffle 

 of his hackle feathers, showing fight, was Sir Bantam's bold response. 

 "What's that you say, Mr. Peppercorn? and mighty little at that," 

 continued Greeny, knocking off his hat, and stooping down, with his 

 hand on his knees, and laughing contemptuously in Seabright's face. 

 As quick as thought, the Bantam jumped and caught him by the fore- 

 top, and commenced whipping him over the eyes with his wings, 

 greatly to the countryman's annoyance, and the amusement of a 

 crowd of spectators. However, nothing daunted, Mr. Not-quite-so- 

 greeny-now, gently closed the Bantam's wings, took him in his hands, 

 and holding him up admiringly at arm's length, exclaimed, " Wai, 

 you be some in spunk, anyhow, old feller, mighty little as I took you 

 for in body. So I guess I'll buy you and wifey too; I've long wanted 

 sumthin' to clear my farm of hawks and eagles, and I guess now 

 you'll do it for me, old war hoss, and no mistake I'm sartain ye would 

 if you was oney half as stout as ye be brave." So without the slight- 

 est hesitation, he paid the high price asked for the pair, chuckling as 

 he did it, half as loud as the Bantam had crowed, and walked rapidly 

 off with his fowls, and we saw no more of him. 



Nolan, the Irish author, thus describes them : 



The Seabright Bantam, or Seabriglit Jungle Fowl, takes precedence 

 of the whole puny tribe for beauty of plumage, strut, demeanor, and 

 pugnacity. They are splendidly marked, the ground of the feathers 

 being either a rich, orange brown, or cream color, and each feather 

 penciled round with black, or dark brown, with the greatest uni- 

 formity. They are said to have been brought by the late Sir John 

 Seabright, M. P. for Herts, from India, and have frequently been 

 exhibited in London ; for beauty of plumage, and, indeed, if well 

 bred, and perfect in their markings, nothing can exceed them. The 

 regulations of the Society of London Amateurs, require that each 

 exhibitor shall offer his birds for sale, after the exhibition, and may 

 bid himself, and put on a prohibitory amount of purchase money. It 

 is on record that Sir John bid up one of his diminutive hens to 29, 

 and bought her in at that price. And it is recorded in the Illustrated 

 London News, of 20th February, 1847, that so late as that date, two 



