8o 



to the former. The correct width of lacing in either variety is 

 about 1-16 of an inch. To get the desirable glossy black edging 

 you must have a dark undercolor. Many specimens that from 

 outside appearance look perfect, showr when opened up few 

 feathers laced into the undercolor. Another important feature 

 often lost sight of even by judges in the show room is the 

 shape of the feather. 



The true Seabright feather and one that shows off the lacing 

 to the best advantage is a rather broad one with a round end. 

 Many are bred with a long, narrow feather with^ends that look 

 as if they had been clipped off straight across. A bird might be ■ 

 perfectly laced and in shape anything but a Seabright. The 

 perfect Seabright should have a small, neat head, carried well 

 back, with full bright eyes, rose comb, square in front and evenly 

 serrated, tapering at the rear in a spike inclined slightly upward, 

 well arched and tapering neck, absolutely free from hackle 

 feathers, short back wings rather large and carried moderately 

 low, giving them a strutting appearance, tail of good size, well 

 spread and carried pretty high, free from sickle feathers, al- 

 though a male bird with slightly longer feathers on top of tail 

 will prove the best breeding bird. The tail coverts should be 

 evenly laced all around and free from mossiness (or white in 

 Goldens). This point is often neglected and we see even in the 

 show room many birds with tail feathers tipped or spangled with 

 black. They should also have moderately short legs. Many 

 specimens are bred to-day with long stilty legs, and long backs ; 

 in fact, anything but a true Seabright in shape. Unquestionably 

 the Seabright when bred true to shape and color is the most 

 beautiful, aristocratic, sauciest and most fashionable ornamental 

 bantams bred to-day, and they are veritable little egg machines. 



In breeding Seabrights it is best to select a small male bird 

 in preference to small females. Larger females are more pro- 

 ductive and chicks hatched are stronger. Seabright chicks being 

 of a delicate nature, it is better to use hens in preference to 

 pullets for breeding, unless early hatched, then they should prove 

 equally good. If possible have both male and females as near 

 perfect in all sections as you can get them, but should the male 

 be weak in any point see that the females to mate him are strong 

 in those points. However, extremes do not give the best results. 

 If Qar? is exercised in mating, however, even better results may 



