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CHAPTER XXX. 



GAME BANTAMS. 



The creation of Game Bantams is one of the most striking triumphs of the breeder's art, and the 

 popularity of these graceful little birds has of late been somewhat extraordinary. This is no doubt 

 owing in part to the much better quality of the specimens exhibited of late years, which are as 

 different to those formerly shown as possible, presenting the fine outlines and plumage of the 

 Game fowl in faultless perfection, with the diminutive size of the Bantam. This took a long time 

 to acquire, and for many years stout stocky birds, with wings carried low, and spreading tails, had 

 to be awarded prizes for want of better ; but such specimens would stand no chance whatever now ; 

 the neat, light, whip-like figure of the true Game bird being quite indispensable to any chance of 

 success. Most careful breeding is needful to secure this, with the necessary points in plumage and 

 other respects ; but we have been fortunate in obtaining such very full notes on these beautiful 

 birds as leave no point untreated of on which information is needed by the fancier. The gentleman 

 to whom Bantam breeders and ourselves alike are so much indebted, is Mr. W. F. Entwistle, of 

 Westfield, near Bradford, Yorkshire, who writes as follows : — 



"Game Bantams rank amongst the most beautiful of our ornamental fowls, and they are by no 

 means unprofitable either as layers or for table use ; for though small their flesh" is most delicious, 

 and they very early arrive at maturity. They are undoubtedly of English production, having been 

 bred by crossing the English Game fowl with the Bantam, and selecting for future stock-birds 

 those chickens which most closely resembled their Game parents, and by breeding in and in till the 

 size was reduced to the desired point. Their good properties have rendered them such general 

 favourites that they have become very plentiful throughout the United Kingdom, as well as on the 

 Continent and the United States, to which they have been exported in considerable numbers. 



" We have four leading varieties of Game Bantams, viz.. Black-breasted Reds, Brown-breasted 

 Reds, Duckwings, and Piles, or White-breasted Reds; and besides these there are White, Black, 

 and Wheaten Game Bantams, the last-named being almost indispensable for the breeding of 

 Black-breasted Reds and Duckwings. All Game Bantams should resemble the large Game fowls 

 in everything except size ; but the full-grown cock should not exceed twenty-six ounces, nor the 

 hen twenty ounces when in condition for exhibition. In the laying season, a really good hen will 

 often weigh more than twenty ounces, but she then looks clumsy and heavy, owing to the 

 formation of eggs. 



"In breeding Game Bantams, the great points to be aimed at are style, good "feather, and 

 colour. By style we mean general shape of the bird, and carriage of its head, wings, and tail. 

 I will take shape first. The head should be very long, narrow, and gracefully curved ; the neck 

 long and slender ; the shoulders broad and square ; the chest broad ; the body short and wedge- 

 shaped, very fine and small at the tail-roots ; the thighs well apart, rather long and well-rounded ; 

 the shanks long, straight, and slender ; the toes long and well-spread, flat on the ground, the hind 

 toe pointing exactly opposite the middle one, so as to give the bird a firm footing. If the hind toe 

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