White and Booted Bantams. 
481 
This variety breeds pretty true with little trouble, but it is so little kept that we can give no 
detailed instructions. Indeed, it will be seen that some points can scarcely be regaided as fixed. 
The name is supposed to have been given from the resemblance of the colour to that of nankeen 
piece goods. We have often thought that by crossing this variety with Gold-pencilled Hamburghs, 
a very pretty and very small Pencilled Bantam might be produced with little difficulty. 
WHITE AND BOOTED BANTAMS.— The White Bantam usually shown exactly re- 
sembles the rose-combed Black breed in all but plumage, having dark legs, red face, and white ear- 
lobes ; at least this is the accepted standard of English breeders. But we repeat a remark made by 
us many years ago, that the white ear-lobe is far inferior in appearance to red, the white plumage 
seeming to require this contrast, and the white deaf-ear looking sickly in comparison. In America 
the red deaf-ear is considered the correct colour, our Transatlantic brother-fanciers showing in this 
particular a sounder appreciation of aesthetic beauty. In all other respects, allowing for the dif- 
ference in plumage, our remarks upon Black Bantams will apply to this breed. 
There is another beautiful breed — one of the oldest known — which we wish to see more 
cultivated. We refer to the exquisite White Booted Bantam. This quaint little fowl only requires 
to be known to be loved. The following notes on this variety are from Mr. R. S. S. Woodgate, of 
Tunbridge Wells, who informs us that he was led to cultivate the breed by a casual remark of 
our own to the above effect in a poultry periodical, and finds our praise (we kept them when at 
school) more than borne out in every particular. 
“ White Booted Bantams,’'’ he says, “ are perhaps the tamest and hardiest of all our Bantams. 
An erroneous idea is afloat that all white breeds are delicate, but as I have devoted myself to breeds 
of this colour for many years I can distinctly deny it. To any one who has a garden, with the 
smallest possible bit of green, and wants a few birds for amusement only, and prefers even a smaller 
breed than Silkies, I recommend this little variety ; they are very tame, very hardy, and so happy 
in their dispositions. Then they are the gamest little fellows imaginable ; pick up a cock from the 
yard, and he will crow in your very hands in the most defiant way. 
“ This variety is very prolific, though the eggs are not much larger than pigeons’ eggs ; and 
the hens make admirable sitters and mothers ; but sometimes the length of their hocks makes them 
roll the eggs from the nest when leaving it. Three little hens I now have with their chickens are 
making the most exemplary mothers. 
“ White Booted Bantams should be as small as possible, though we do not at present see them 
so small as the generality of Bantams as a rule. They should have white legs and bills, and be 
heavily booted and hocked ; the more feathering on their legs and feet the better. The cocks 
should have nice full-sickled tails, and be firmly and closely made. There are both single and 
double combs, but personally I much prefer the single, and believe that to be correct, they lose 
so much of their peculiar appearance with the double comb. The single comb is, however, difficult 
to get good, so many have “ thumb-marks,” as they are called — a kind of wave in the front of the 
comb ; but I would never be too quick at discarding a bird for this failing, as sometimes the comb 
comes right when the bird gets older. The hen’s comb should be nicely serrated, upright, and not 
too large ; those lopping over are most objectionable. 
“ This breed has one drawback to which all white breeds are liable, namely, getting sunburnt. 
When kept in an exposed sunny place the hackles turn yellow, like White Cochins, which is a 
great impediment to successful exhibition. I can only recommend the shade of living underwood 
and trees to ward off this, which does not generally appear the first summer. 
“ This is a very oid-fashioned breed of Bantams, though we do not see many of them 
2 P 
now 
