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Chapter XLIII. 
GAME, MALAY, AND INDIAN GAME BANTAMS. 
Of these Game varieties of the Liliput family, the Game Bantams are far and away the most popular. The 
widespread interest in the breeding of these beautifully-feathered, and aristocratically-built birds, proves that 
their cultivation is in the ascendancy, the competition at our large Winter Shows being very keen. The 
Game Bantam of the present day is a striking example of the breeders' art, and, unlike the major breeds of 
Poultry, are, in numberless hands, certain and conclusive evidence that they are by no means an unprofitable 
variety of Poultry to breed and rear. The magnificent plumage, and graceful outline of the best birds now 
exhibited, is in marked contrast to the Game Bantam of a former period, and few will deny that, as far as 
appearance goes, they are far ahead of the thickly-built, heavily-feathered specimens, with drooping wings, 
shown a quarter of a century back. The highest class speciijiens now exhibited possess the smart, whip- 
like contour of the Modern Game Fowl in faultless perfection. The brilliant colours of the various 
varieties leave little to be desired from an aesthetic point of view. Their plucky and courageous demeanour, 
against any odds, are a worthy trait in their character, and their tame and docile nature make them lovable. 
This, coupled with the hen's laying capabilities, their merits as sitters and mothers, and the high quality of 
their flesh for the table, place them in the very front rank of useful and ornamental Poultry. There is as 
much skill required in breeding Game Bantams to Standard points as in other varieties of Fowls. At 
the time of writing, the breed is held in high esteem amongst genuine Breeders and Fanciers throughout the 
Old World, and America, and also in our own country. We have seen specimens of the Modern Game 
B.intam that were well-nigh perfect, quite equalling, on Standard properties, the highest class birds of the 
large Modern Game. This successful issue has taken many years to be brought about, but now is an 
accomplished fact. 
One great advantage in breeding Game Bantams is the exceedingly limited amount of room, attention, 
and food they require. No matter how small a back yard may be, a pen or two of Game Bantams can 
easily be accommodated, or, in fact, a half-dozen specimens may be kept in a box of ordinary dimensions, 
s.iy, 6x4x4 feet, if properly attended to. Plain food, grit, sand, and water, combined with cleanliness, 
will keep them happy and contented. It is astonishing what a small amount of space Game Bantams 
require (much less than would be generally supposed) to thrive, and do well in. 
Game Bantams are bred in four Standard colours, besides which various sub-varieties are also exhibited. 
The Standard colours are those of the large Modern Game — viz., Black-Reds, Brown-Reds, Red Piles, and 
Duckwings ; the principal sub-varieties being the Birchen-Greys, Lemon-Piles, and Wheatens. In all colours 
of Game Bantams the chief points are style, good colour, hard feather (z>., narrow, short, small, and close- 
fitting feather throughout), reach, and small size. Of these characteristics style is far and away of the 
greatest importance. (By style, the carriage and general shape of the bird are included.) This should give 
an erect, tall, smart, and racy appearance. The head should be long, lean, and narrow, and forming, with 
the neck, a graceful curve; the neck long, lean, and slender, not "bull-necked," or "throaty," or full and 
forward in neck hackle, which are grave faults. The neck feathers should be close fitting, and very narrow, 
giving an appearance of great length and slenderness to the neck. This assists in bringing the shoulders 
out in relief. The shoulders should be carried fairly well forward, and be broad and square ; the back flat 
and short, and quickly tapering off to a fine, narrow stern ; the chest broad, but not too prominent, or full- 
breasted ; the thighs long, muscular, and set wide apart, and rather forward ; the shanks long, slender, and 
perfectly straight, and as nmnd as possible. If flat on the front, and square at the joints, these are serious 
