BANTAMS. 155 



their duties to a wish ; the chickens should not 

 be hatched till July or August, as it is an object 

 to have them of the smallest possible size, a 

 strange deviation from the utilitarian principle. 



For the first few weeks they are decidedly 

 delicate ; they seem to feather more quickly than 

 most fowls, and in that stage are apt to die ofi', 

 the drain on the system being too severe. 



When fully feathered, they are quite hardy, 

 and may be allowed free range, with the mother, 

 in a garden, where they will do much good by 

 devouring insects, (for they are industrious 

 little labourers), and will not injure flowers or 

 vegetables. 



They are a pretty fancy, and being miniatures 

 themselves, are well suited to miniature poultry 

 grounds ; not that they are at all limited to such, 

 for they are prized by fanciers who rear all sorts 

 and breeds of fowls on the most extended scale. 

 They can be kept along with other breeds and 

 fowls with impunity. 



There are many varieties of Bantams, exclusive 

 of the feather-legged, which, like moustache in 

 the pulpit, is a matter, (shall I say fortunately ?) 



