CHAPTER XT. 



Bantams, 



• The BaDtam fowls are simply dwarfs of the ordinary breeds, their size having 

 been reduced by taking advantage of occasional " sports," and preserving this ad- 

 vantage by judicious selection and breeding. 



Fowls of the diminutive size of the Bantams have been known since the 

 time of Pliny, but the most noted breeder of Bantams as a specialty, was Sir 

 John Sebright, who in 1800 oi^ginated the varieties now known as the Qolden&ud 

 Silver Sdnighls, or Golden and Silver-laced Bantams. 



These breeds, which ar<> properly but modifications of one breed, differing only 

 in the ground-color of their plumage, were originated by crossing a common 

 Bantam with a Polish fowl, and breeding the cross thus obtained to a hen-feath- 

 ered Bantam cock which Sir John accidentally found. These crosses were followed 

 up by many years of the most careful breeding, until now the Sebrights are 

 among the most beautiful of fowls. 



The plumage of the Sebrights is of a golden ground-color in the Golden variety, 

 or of a silvery-white color in the Silver, each feather being distinctly laced with 

 black. In the smaller feathers of the neck and thighs this lacing produces a 

 darker color, while in the larger feathers of the wings and tail the lighter ground- 

 color predominates. 



The Sebright cocks are completely hen-feathered, being devoid of hackle, sad- 

 dle, and sickle feathers. In carriage they are very erect and proud, so much so 

 as to remind one of the strutting of a turkey-cock — the head and tail nearly 

 touching, and the wings nearly reaching the ground. In disposition they are very 

 pugnacious, always ready for a battle, and not hesitating to attack much larger 

 adversaries. 



The hens are restless and active, and are fair layers, but their eggs are apt to 

 to be infertile, especially when they run with perfectly hen-feathered cocks. A 

 very slight divergence toward cock-feathering, in the Sebright cock, either in the 

 extension of two of the tail feathers — though but for half an inch — or in a ten- 

 dency toward saddle feathers, has been found to be attended with increased 

 fertility in the eggs; but such a tendency is discountenanced in the exhibition- 

 pen. 



The comb must be double, or rose shaped, erect, fuU of points, and ending in 

 a good peak behind ; the wattles are small, florid or livid in color, those of the 

 hen, especially, being quite compact. White ear-lobes are sought after, but are 

 difficult to obtain, and hence a red ear-lobe is not a disqualification. The legs 

 and feet are slate-colored, and free from feathering. Twenty ounces is given by 



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