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CHAPTER XXXI. 
GAME AND MALAY BANTAMS. 
The creation of Game Bantams is one of the most striking triumphs of the breeder’s art, and the 
popularity of these graceful little birds has of late been somewhat extraordinary. This is no doubt 
owing in part to the much better quality of the specimens exhibited of late years, which are as 
different to those formerly shown as possible, presenting the fine outlines and plumage of the 
Game fowl in faultless perfection, with the diminutive size of the Bantam. This took a long time 
to acquire, and for many years stout stocky birds, with wings carried low, and spreading tails, had 
to be awarded prizes for want of better ; but such specimens would stand no chance whatever now ; 
the neat, light, whip-like figure of the true Game bird being quite indispensable to any chance of 
success. Most careful breeding is needful to secure this, with the necessary points in plumage and 
other respects ; but we have been fortunate in obtaining such very full notes on these beautiful 
birds as leave no point untreated of on which information is needed by the fancier. The gentleman 
to whom Bantam breeders and ourselves alike are so much indebted, is Mr. W. F. Entwisle, of 
Westfield, near Bradford, Yorkshire, who writes as follows : — 
“Game Bantams rank amongst the most beautiful of our ornamental fowls, and they are by no 
means unprofitable either as layers or for table use ; for though small their flesh is most delicious, 
and they very early arrive at maturity. They are undoubtedly of English production, having been 
bred by crossing the English Game fowl with the Bantam, and selecting for future stock-birds 
those chickens which most closely resembled their Game parents, and by breeding in and in till the 
size was reduced to the desired point. Their good properties have rendered them such general 
favourites that they have become very plentiful throughout the United Kingdom, as weii as on the 
Continent and the United States, to which they have been exported in considerable numbers. 
“ We have four leading varieties of Game Bantams, viz., Black-breasted Reds, Brown-breasted 
Reds, Duckwings, and Piles, or White-breasted Reds; and besides these there are White, Black, 
and Wheaten Game Bantams, the last-named being almost indispensable for the breeding of 
Black-breasted Reds and Duckwings. All Game Bantams should resemble the lar<m Game fowls 
in everything except size , but the full-grown cock should not exceed twenty-six ounces, nor the 
hen twenty ounces when in condition for exhibition. In the laying season, a really good hen will 
often weigh moie than twenty ounces, but she then looks clumsy and heavy, owing to the 
formation of eggs. 
In breeding Game Bantams, the great points to be aimed at are style, good feather, and 
colour. By style we mean general shape of the bird, and carriage of its head, wings, and tail. 
I will take shape first. The head should be very long, narrow, and gracefully curved ; the neck 
long and slender, the shoulders broad and square ; the chest broad; the body short and wedge- 
shaped, very fine and small at the tail-roots ; the thighs well apart, rather long and well-rounded ; 
the snanks long, straight, and slender , the toes long and well-spread, flat on the ground, the hind 
toe pointing exactly opposite the middle one, so as to give the bird a firm footing If the hind toe 
