THE BANTAM FOWL. 



67 



tenance, than the larger breeds. I do not doubt thait this 

 statement is true, but at the same time neither the eggs nor 

 the birds themselves have any marketable value, and hence 

 it is only true when both are consumed in ithe household. 

 I do not see, however, wliy Bantams should not be sold for 

 table purposes. We know that in London and some of the 

 other great ceikers of population there is considerable de- 

 mand in the Spring for what are called petlts poussins, that 

 is, young chicks which weigh only eight or nine ounces, 

 and are served whole. For this purpose Bantams might be 

 used, and would be equally good. Up 'to the present they 

 have been kept almost entirely for their beauty or exhibition 

 properties, but there is no reason why the other purpose 

 should not be considered. 



For lieauty the Bantam undoubtedly bears the palm, 

 apd no more pleasing section of a show can be found than 

 that embracing the races grouped under this term. It would 

 seem that there is reaJity in the old statement that "good 

 stuff goes into little bulk," even in animal life. Certain it is 

 tiat we find a concentration of qualities and a perfection of 

 color in Bantams not often met with in larger birds. A 

 further attraction lies in their sprightliness and activity. 

 They carry themselves in a most pleasing manner, and act 

 toward the larger members of the poultry yard in a way 

 which is very amusing. Perhaps this latter may be desig- 

 nated as impudence or cheek, and such it truly is. At the 

 same time, this very fact is a recommendation. 



The first races of the Bantam came to us from 'the East, 

 as the name indicates. Both Chinese and Japanese, together 

 with other Asiatic nations, have bred them for centuries. 

 Taking the jungle fowl as the original of domestic poultry, 

 a small bird comparatively in itself, there would not be any 

 more trouble in breeding down than in increasing the size. 

 And the tastes of those peoples already mentioned have 

 been in the lines of extremes, either of size, color or of style. 

 Thus it is we have the quaiint Japanese and Burmese Ban- 

 tams, which are -buit examples of many others! The diminu- 

 tive fowls introduced i'nto Britain — for this country has 

 been the home of Bantams for many years — gave us the 

 basis for producing most of the many varieties now to be 

 mot with, and without them we could scarcely have arrived 

 so speedily at the desired end, for if the larger breeds had to 

 be bred down, it would necessarily take a considerable per- 

 iod of selection. It is this crossing which has given that 

 vigor characteristic of them, and which is so much in their 

 favor.. 



There are two distinct sections, Bantams and Game 

 Bantams. The latter embrace all those of the Game type; 

 that is, descended frpm the iighting cocks of former days, 

 while the former embraces all others. At one time Game 

 Bantams were the more numerous and popular, but during 

 recent years, due largely to the skill and perseverance of 

 the late Mr. W. F. Entwisle, tie number of Bantams not 

 Game has enormously developed, and 'they must be given 

 the first place. Pro rata, taking the supporters of each indi- 

 vidual variety. Game Bantams have the largest amount of 

 afctentibo,. as can be seen at our great exhibitions, such aa 

 the Dairy, Birmingham and the Crystal Palace, but in the 

 gross total they are beaten by their compeers. 



Taking Bantams first, we are almost overwhelmed by 

 their number. It is not my- present intention to deal with 



them in detail, but simply to indicate what are their chief 

 features. 



One of the oldest kinds is the Sebright, which is dis- 

 tinct from all others in thajt the cock and hen are marked 

 alike. The feathers are laced, by which is meant that each 

 feather is edged with black. There are two colors. Golds and 

 Silvers, and when even in lacing they are very beautiful. 

 Black Rose Comb Bantams are really Black Hamburgs in 

 miniature, but they drop their wings in a way the larger 

 birds do not, thus showing an influence from the purely 

 Bantam ancestry. There are also White Rose Combed Ban- 

 tams, similar in all respects. to the Blacks except in plumage. 

 Pekin Bantams are really small Cochins, and we find in 

 them the same distinctive varieties as in the last named 

 breed. There are two very quaint forms, nainely, the Black- 

 Booted and White-Booted, which are characterized by re- 

 markable development of hock, leg and foot feathering, the 

 latter extending several inches beyond the toes. Japanese 

 and Burmese Bantams are remarkable for their peculiarities 

 of carriage and shape. 



In Frizzles, the feathers, instead of lying flat against 

 the body, stand out from it, or are reversed. Hence the 

 name. Cuckoo Bantams are small Scotch Grays, and in 

 them the color and markings are usually much better than 

 in the larger race. In addition, we have a considerable 

 number of varieties which are, or should be, small fac- 

 similes of well known fowls. These are Black Spanish, 

 Malay, Indian Game, Polish, Brahma, etc. Some are by no 

 means so perfect as those first named, by reason of the fact 

 that they are of more recent introduction, and there has not 

 been time yet to fix their distinctive characeristics. This 

 will, however, be accomplished ere long. Many of the newer 

 breeds have not yet been represented in miniaiture, but at- 

 tempts are being made in this direction. For wtirk of this 

 kind skill, time and determination are required, and it. is 

 not every one who is willing to wait a decade of years ere 

 seeing the fruit of his efforts. I believe it took the late Mr. 

 Entwisle nine years before he bred Brahma Bantams to 

 such a quality that he was willing to put them before the 

 public. But given skill and patience, the reward is certain. 

 Prices paid for good specimens are high, and I have known 

 a little Bantam to sell for £50, which worked out at some- 

 thing like £4 per ounce, live weighit. The Bantam breeders 

 include many people who will give high figures for a really 

 flrst-clasB bird. 



With regard to Game Bantams, it is not necessary to 

 say much. We have Black-Reds (which are the most pop- 

 ular of all), Brown-Reds, Piles and Duckwings. These are 

 of the long-l^ged, 'Teachy type, the same in all respects save 

 size as the ordt'nary modem «tiow Game. Recently what 

 are called Old-Jlasliltmed Game Bantams have been intro- 

 duced, -wiiicTi are more near'ly allied to the fighting Game. 

 It must be conceded 'that the former are rather the more 

 stylish. 



Bantams are trained thoroughly for the show pen, and 

 go through a course of instruction which prepares them to 

 exliibit themselves in the best manner. When so trained, 

 a bird holds himself in a very pleasing way, and is greatly 

 improved by the process. But that is another story, into 

 which I do not propose to enter. 



STEPHEN BEAI.E, H- 



England. 



