146 



THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



THE BANTAM FOWL. 



formly of rich glossy green-black. In form they 

 closely resemble other Hamburgs, and may bear 

 the same relationship to them that the Black 

 Shanghais do to the Buff and other colored. 



Having thus described the various kinds of 

 Hamburgs, we may conclude by observing that 

 they, with the Polands and Bantams, are the two 

 principal varieties that are technically known as 

 "feathered fowls," because their merits consist 

 in the accuracy of the markings and beauty of 

 their feathers, and not in their size. 



THE BANTAM FOWL. 



The Bantam is the smallest specimen, and 

 may with propriety be termed the Liliputian 

 fowl of the gallinaceous tribe, and stands, com- 

 paratively, in size, to that of the Malay or Shang- 

 hai, as the stately Durham to the diminutive 

 Alderney cow. 



There can be little doubt but that it is to the 

 islands of the Eastern Archipelago that the 

 origin of this fowl must be referred ; but whether 

 all our present varieties owe their descent to 

 any one primitive stock, may be the subject of 

 speculation, though hardly capable of proof at 

 the present day. It is generally supposed that 

 this variety received its name from a town and 

 district of Java, from whence it was first brought 

 by the Dutch. Since their introduction into 

 Europe, this breed has ramified into many va- 

 rieties, none of which are destitute of elegance, 

 and many remarkable for their beauty. All 



are, or ought to be, of small size, but lively and 

 vigorous, exhibiting in their movements stateli- 

 ness and grace. 



The Bantam, though extremely small in size, 

 is elegantly formed, and remarkable for its gro- 

 tesque figure, and must be considered more as 

 an object of curiosity than utility, and, of course, 

 must expect to be received with no peculiar 

 favor, except by the fancier, in this country. 

 From its size and delicacy, however, they are 

 very convenient, as they may sometimes stand 

 in the place of chickens, when they are not to 

 be had. They are very domestic, often making 

 their nests in the kitchen aqd cupboard of the 

 dwelling when permitted. 



The cocks are great at crowing, exceedingly 

 courageous and pugnacious, and do not hesi- 

 itate to attack a turkey or any large bird with 

 most amusing pompousness of manner. Their 

 passionate temper, their overweening assump- 

 tion and arrogance, and their propensity to 

 make every rival turn tail, has caused them 

 many difficulties. 



The white Bantams, with long feathers on 

 their legs, are the most common, but are beau- 

 tiful little birds, with short legs, feathered some- 

 times to the extremity of the toes. On account 

 of their short, feathered legs, a dry location is 

 required. They arrive at maturity early, and 

 are well worthy of propagation. They are very 

 faithful sitters, good mothers, and will lay more 

 eggs, though small, than any other variety. They 



