THE BANTAM FOWI.. 



29 



Partridge Cochin Bantam 



Feather, showing Full 



Fluff as it should 



be. 



when first hatched, show a sooty 

 shade of color. This grayish color 

 is said to promise better color 

 when matured than the yellow 

 cfliSt. Of this we cannot say from 

 experience, but we know thalt if 

 pure white to the slsin when 

 hatched, they will mature to a 

 beautiful pearly white. The 

 Whites, we believe, will become 

 the banner Bantam of them all. 



In many cases the White and 

 Black specimens far excel the 

 Buffs in true Oochin qualities. 

 They, like all but the Buffs, came 

 fromacross with their larger cous- 

 ins, and carry tlie Cochin shape, 

 none but the Buffs having 'suffered 

 in shape and feather by the cross with Nankin and White 

 Booted Bantams. These faults are fast disappearipg from 

 the Buffs, and soon we may hope to see Cochin wonders in 

 miniature form of the five colors at our exhibitions. Of one 

 point too much can not be said. It is quite true that the 

 smaller the better if true Cochin shape is maintained, but 

 close feathering is not Cochin form. Cochins should have 

 long, fluffy feathers, and these close-feathered birds that 

 look small should not be allowed to gain the ascendency, 

 for if they do the true Cochin Bantam is gone. 



The following is from the pen of Mr. A. P. Groves, a true 

 fancier, who contributes his experience to this work: 



Mr. T. P. McGrew: 



The American White Pekin or Cochin Bantams were 

 originated by me about eight years ago. I was breeding Buffi 

 Pekins at that time and some of their progeny came pure 

 white. I bred these white specimens together and estab- 

 lished what is known as the Snow-Drop strain. There was 

 no booted Bantam or other blood used in their composition. 

 They are now well distributed over the United States, and 

 some have gone to England to compete for prizes there. In 

 many instances they have been successful. I consider our 

 home-bred birds the equal of those sent from England, if 

 they are not the superior. Some of these may be whiter in 

 plumage, they having paid more attention than we to this 

 point, but in shape, leg and toe feathering we acknowledge 

 no superiority. Having as careful breeders here as there 

 are on the other side, why should we fall behind them? 



I consider the White Cochin, when well bred, the hand- 



somest of the Bantam family. Care should be exercised in 

 breeding them. Only birds of good shape and heavy leg and 

 toe feathering should be used; otherwise you will have many 

 culls. Never breed from a bird with light leg or toe feather- 

 ing, no matter how good otherwise. In regard to feeding 

 the chicks, give them bread soaked in sweet milk, not too 

 wet, for a month or six weeks; after that give them whole 

 wheat. I have followed this rule for several years, and sel- 



dom lose a chick. 



A. P. GROVES. 



FROM ANOTHER BREBDSR OP WHITE COCHINS. 



Mr. T. F. McGrew; 



We imported our first stock of White Cochin Bantams 

 from England. We made altogether seven importations, and 



T. F. MCGREW'S PARTRIDGE COCHIN BANTAM HBN. 



we can candidly say there is no necessity for going there 

 except for new blood to prevent inbreeding. In fact, after 

 the new Standard is out we will not be able to import, be- 

 cause they breed them with both yellow and white legs and 

 beaks. The best White Cochin Bantam we ever imported 

 was "Nameless." She was undoubtedly the best White 

 Cochin Bantam ever seen in America. She was even smaller 

 than any pullet. When she was four years old she was sold 

 for the longest price ever paid for a Cochin Bantam in this 

 country. Messrs. Butterfleld, Ball, Zimmer and Rockenstyre 

 considered her perfection. The yellow legged strain was 

 produced by a cross of the English and American White 

 Cochin Bantam, breeding for a type with yel- 

 low legs and beaks, and by a very strong use 

 of 'the ax on culls. 



Feed bread, cracker crumbs, oat meal, grit 

 and wheat, with this breed. Beware of yellow 

 corn as you would a pestilence. Where one 

 has plenty of shade one can produce that 

 sheeny white plumage. 



CHARLES JEHL. 



A PAIR OF PARTRIDGE COCHIN BANTAMS. 



PARTRIDGE COCHIN BANTAMS. 



The Partridge Cochin Bantam has the same 

 standard colors and penciling as the larger 

 specimens. They are the latest production in 

 the Pekin variety. As stated, their origin was 

 a cross of Buff and Black bred to large Coch- 

 ins and reduced by care and patience to the. 

 proper form and size. The same method of 

 producing males and females ol proper 



