40 



THE BANTAM FOWJ.. 



edge has exhibited them so successfully for the past seven 

 or eight years, and who has ever been ready and willing to 

 guarantee classes for them at the principal shows, there is 

 every prospect of them becoming more popular. Although 

 they have invariably to compete against many varieties, 

 even at such shows as Dairy, Palace and Birmingham, they 

 generally give a good account of themselves, as reference 

 to reports will show. 



The most trying time with Frizzle chickens is the period 

 of getting their first feather. At this time they are difficult 

 to rear, but when the ground is dry and sandy successful re- 

 sults can be ob;ained. Having got their first feathers they 

 will be found quite as hardy as most varieties. 



Many persons imagine that curling irons play an impor- 

 tant part in preparing Frizzles for exhibition, and in some 

 cases such is the case. I remember once seeing a lady man- 

 ipulate with the curling iron on a White Frizzle hen for two 

 hours one Sunday night, and although I often heard it said 



A I-AIR OF FRIZZLES. 



that "better the day, better the deed," it was not so in this 

 case, for this exhibit just managed to struggle into fourth 

 place. Then, again, I remember some years ago, either dur- 

 ing the Palace or Dairy, the latter I believe, a certain exhibi- 

 tor had occasion to enter the hair dresser's shop near the 

 show, and on entering was surprised to see a brother fancier, 

 one of the lily white innocent ones, too, holding a wee 

 Frizzle pullet on the back of a chair whilst Mr. Hairdresser 

 was assisting nature to curl the feathers. On this occasion 

 their united labors were rewarded with success. 



Frizzles appear at their best on either a warm summer 

 day or a sharp, clear, frosty day, but the slightest fog or rain 

 deprives them of their beautiful curls at once, the same as it 

 does the ladies' curls when not in papers. 



This is one great drawback (to the Frizzle I mean) when 

 they have to be 'sent long journeys in the damp winter 

 months. 



Frizzle Bantams throw a large percentage of plain 

 feathered chickens which are utterly useless for exhibition, 

 but are of invaluable service in the breeding pen; in fact 

 really good specimens are rarely produced without them. 



The curled hens are excellent mothers and sitters, but 

 the plain feathered ones are noit to be depended on in either 

 capacity. This seems strange, but nevertheless it is quite 

 true. 



There aie several colors of Frizzle Bantams, but the 



Whites, Blacks and Buffs appear to be most popular; and, 

 in my opinion, the first named are decidedly the prettiest,, 

 and breed very true, whereas the other varieties throw a lot 

 of mis-colored ones, especially in wing and tail. 



Judges have no easy task at present in making thfr 

 awards, as there does not appear to be a recognized standard- 

 and prizes have in many instances been awarded to the best 

 curled specimen irrespective of type or color. For this^ 

 reason I herewith give a standard applicable to both cocka 

 and hens. 



Comb— Single, bright red, medium in cocks, and very- 

 small in hens! 



Head — Small, and neat. 



Face — Bar-lobes and wattles bright red, and of smooth, 

 texture. 



Byes — Bright red and full. 



Beak— Short, strong, yellow or htorn in Whites and. 

 Buffs; dark willow or black for dark varieties. 



Neck — Rather ^ort, well arched, and in. 

 cock abundantly frilled. 

 Back — Short and broad. 

 Wings — Long and drooping. 

 Breast — Very full and round. 

 Legs — ^Very short, and quite free front 

 feathei-s; yellow in Buffs and Whites; dark, 

 willow in dark varieties. 



Feet — Four toes, well spread. 

 Tail— Bather large, very full, but loose, 

 the cock having good sickles and plenty ot 

 side hangers. 



Plumage— Moderately long, hard, %nd 

 well curled backward towards the head and 

 very close. 



General Shape and CarriageH-Compact,. 

 erect, active and strutting. 



To breed Frizzle Bantams it is advisable- 

 have two breeding pens; this is only neces- 

 sary on account of getting the curl, as one 

 breeding pen if properly mated will produce 

 both g'ood cockerels and pullets. 



No. 1 pen should consist of a hard-feath- 

 ered, well-curled cock, short iQ back, 

 full in frill and breast, with short legs of the standard 

 color; mate to him two small, well-curled hens and two 

 plain feathered hens or pullets, whose appearance should be- 

 as round and as squat as p'ossible. 



No. 2 should consist of a cock similar to above,' but plain 

 in feather and very full feathered; to him mate three or four 

 well-curled hens, the closer in curl the better. The plain 

 pullets from No. 1, I should use with the best curled cock 

 the following season. 



It is no use trying to rear Frizzle chickens in February 

 or March, it will only be labor in vain. The months of May 

 and June are most suitable for this variety in England, 

 especially in the northern counties, and not earlier thaa 

 April in the south. 



BURMESE BANTAMS. 



This variety of Bantams came to Scotland from Burmah 

 about fifteen years ago. They are a small white Bantam 

 when in their best form, but black, brown and speckled 

 colors are also natural to the breed. They have a cres't on 

 their heads, single small comb in front of the crest, long 

 wings, very long tails, extremely short legs, in fact so short 

 that their breast and body almost touch the ground. Their 

 short, heavily feathered legs and toes make it difficult -for 

 them to move about. The legs and beak of the Burmese- 

 are yellow, and from their general description we should 

 think they were much like the Japanese, with heavy leg 

 and toe feathering and crest added. 



