Mr. Cambridge on Black Bantams. 
469 
“ In size the cocks vary from about fourteen to twenty-four ounces, most of the best birds 
being eighteen to twenty ounces. The hens vary from twelve to twenty ounces when in laying 
condition, though 1 have often had them lay when not more than ten ounces ; but mere weight 
would never influence me when judging the variety, for many birds are actually smaller in 
appearance at twenty-four than others at eighteen or twenty ounces. 
“The standard to which I incline for this variety, and which as regards style has been most 
thoroughly endorsed by our leading judges ever since the improvement of the breed was com- 
menced, I will give as briefly as possible ; and I would here remark that no one has had more to 
do with the establishment of the breed than Mr. Hewitt, who at the time to which I refer was 
judging the main bulk of the shows, from which time to this I have never know that gentleman 
deviate from the style of bird which he selected as the recipients of the leading honours. The beak 
should be short and slightly curved, black or a deep horn-colour ; the face, comb, and wattles, 
bright red or vermilion ; and the eye deep red or hazel. The comb should be double, or what is 
known as ‘rose;’ broad in front, tapering to the back, and ending in a well-defined spike, which 
should incline slightly upward, the surface being level and well serrated, and the whole should sit 
firmly and closely upon the head. The ear-lobe should be pure white, round, smooth, flat, and 
substantial, and about the size of a fourpenny-bit in the average-sized cocks. The legs of the 
young birds are generally black, and those of the adults dark blue or slate-colour, and should be 
rather short than otherwise. For shape and style I would take that of the Hamburgh in all 
respects, except that if the wings be a little more drooping it adds greatly to the character and 
beauty of the bird. The chest should be broad and prominent ; the neck curved and full of 
feather, or what is known as ‘ bull-necked the hackle flowing well over the back, which should 
also be broad and deep ; the saddle-hackle forming a good fringe over the sides of the wings. The 
tail should be open and the sickles long ; the sides of the tail being well-furnished with half-sickles 
or side hangers, and the whole carried well backward — a squirrel-tail being an abomination I would 
not tolerate. In fact, the whole contour of this miniature Hamburgh should be quite distinct from 
the Game, and I would as soon disqualify the Black Bantam for a whip-tail, tucked-up wings, and 
long legs, as a Game Bantam for drooping wings and open tail. 
“ The colour is generally a rich metallic black ; but I prefer the rich olive of the Black 
Hamburgh, to which there is at present a tendency, and in my opinion the latter breed will have to 
be used for the attainment thereof. At all events, all other crosses for the purpose have failed with 
me; though last year I succeeded in breeding a few cockerels with the desirable tinge, containing 
an eighth of the Black Hamburgh cross.” 
The Black Bantam, as brought to perfection, is in fact a perfect miniature of the Black 
Hamburgh, having not only the neat rose-comb and white ear-lobes, but the same free and 
sweeping outlines, quite distinct from the old “stumpy” pattern Mr. Hutton describes. In 
regard to the practical breeding and management of this beautiful little bird, we have been kindly 
furnished with the following full and practical notes by Mr. E. Cambridge, of Cotham, Bristol, 
who was for some years one of the most successful exhibitors : — 
“ Black Bantams are one of the most beautiful of the many varieties of these miniature pets 
we now possess ; the brilliant black plumage, coral-red comb, and snow-white ear-lobes form such 
a contrast as no other rival can boast of. Having kept them without intermission for nine years, 
during which time I have also kept every other variety of Bantam, I can also testify that they are 
unsurpassed in their laying qualities, and are very good mothers. Many people despise Bantams, 
and consider them useless on account of their small size. This is quite a delusion. Independent 
of this quality rendering them particularly suited for confined places, and to be kept in aviaries as 
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