70 POULTRY CULTUEE 



siderable extent by the Greeks and Romans, who enjoyed 

 seeing animals and beasts tear themselves to piee(>s and writhe 

 in their agonies. 



In ancient times cock fighting was as much in vogue among 

 the Greeks and Romans as it is at the present time in Mexico, 

 Cuba, India, and China. 



The present game fowl differs considerable from the type 

 of ancient fighting birds. The exhibition game of to-day 

 carries a rather erect posture, with characteristic shape and 

 carriage. The game stands high on its legs, its head is narrow 

 and long, with thin long neck and fiery eyes. 



Game Bantams. — The standard recognized the following 

 varieties of game bantams: White, Black, Birchen, Red Pile, 

 Golden and Silver Duckwing, Brown Red and Black Breasted 

 Red. 



In shape, color, and carriage these Game Bantams are the 

 same as the large breeds. They have been bred to bantam 

 size, hence are ornamental. 



Dwarf fowls have been known since time immemorial. 



The standard weight of Game Bantams are for cock, 22 

 ounces; cockerel, 20 ounces; hen, 20 ounces; pullet, 18 ounces. 



The Black Breasted Red Game appears to be the most 

 popular of all the bantams in America. 



THE ORIENTAL CLASS 



The Oriental class consists of three breeds, as follows: 

 Malays, Sumatras, and Malay Bantams. 



The Malays. — This breed has one variety — namely, Black 

 Breasted Red. 



The Malay appears to be one of the ancient types of fowl. 



The blood of the vigorous Malay is to be found in many of 

 our present breeds. 



The standard requires the Malay cock to weigh 9 pounds; 

 cockerel, 7 pounds; hen, 7 pounds; pullet, 5 pounds. 



The Sumatras. — This breed has only one varietj- — namely, 

 the Black. 



This breed, possessing many of the characteristics of the 

 heavy game, is an old variety and its history is little under- 



