466 



The Illustrated Book of Poultky. 



China's Summer Palace, from which place he sent them along with some other things. I have had 

 them ever since that time, and have never had any trouble in breeding them until last year, when 

 I had many bad eggs. This year, I am sorry to say, I have had worse luck still, as two hens died 

 on their nests while sitting, and I cannot discover the cause. The eggs of the third were all bad, 

 so that my stock is much reduced. I begin to think it must be from want of a cross, as I have 

 never from the first had one of any sort, though never till now with any apparent ill eftect. I 

 have only treated them the same as my other poultry." 



There would be great reason to fear this beautiful Bantam becoming extinct had no fresh 

 blood been found ; but we are happy to be able to state that Messrs. John Baily and Son lately 

 obtained a fresh importation from China of some of the most faultless birds which have ever been 

 seen. Even this fresh supply is probably sufficient to save the breed ; but as it could not have 

 been established in China without very extensive breeding, it is probable that still further specimens 

 may yet be obtained. In default of such, a cross with the White-booted or Nankin Bantam breeds 

 might be tried, afterwards breeding back to the Cochin stock ; and using every means by feeding, 

 and healthy natural treatment, without undue exposure, to strengthen the constitution. There is at 

 present no choice for selecting breeding-stock to given points, and indeed very little need. It is 

 curious, in fact, that the Chinese fanciers appear to have " beaten us hollow" in the fixity and 

 permanence of character they have imparted to this charming little fowl, the Pekin Bantam 

 breeding truer than any other variety we are acquainted with. 



More detailed description of the Pekin Bantam itself is not necessary. It should be in all 

 points a dwarf Buff Cochin, but somewhat lower in the leg and carriage than the large breed. 

 The colour of the hen may be any good standard buff, but in nearly all cases that of both sexes is 

 somewhat darker than that now fashionable in Cochins, that of the cock especially being almost as 

 dark as Cinnamon in the upper plumage. 



CUCKOO BANTAMS.— A rather pretty breed of Bantams is known by this name, of a 

 Cuckoo or Dominique colour. They have been stated to have been introduced by a gentleman in 

 Yorkshire, and there is very little doubt that his stock was really produced quite independently ; 

 but they were known in Scotland for some time previously, having been sent out by Mr. Mitchell, 

 of Paisley, at least as e^irly as iS66, when Mr. Beldon received a pair from him. They are 

 miniature Scotch Greys in every point, having white legs and single combs, and hence are known 

 in Scotland as the Scotch Grey Bantam. Another variety of Cuckoo Bantam is shown 

 occasionally with rose-combs. These have, in our opinion, been probably produced by crossing 

 the Black rose-combed Bantam with the White ; the cross of these colours usually producing, as 

 we have often remarked, a certain proportion of each colour pure, a certain proportion of a slaty 

 blue or Andalusian colour, and a certain proportion with the Cuckoo marking in question. 



JAPANESE BANTAMS. — Since intercourse was freely opened between Europe and Japan 

 several striking breeds of Bantams have been introduced from that country, all having the 

 common features of single combs, and very short legs, with thick "dumpy-looking" bodies. 



The most popular variety at present seems to be one with white bodies and black tails ; the 

 tail of the cock being of a very peculiar character. The sickles are very long, and carried upright 

 or over the back, but being little curved, present a very strange sword-like character. This and 

 other general characters may be seen in the plate, which represents well-known birds of this variety 

 exhibited by Mrs. Woodcock, of Rearsby House, Leicester. The same lady has kindly supplied 

 the following practical remarks : — 



