THE POULTHY BOOK. 
249 
of less and less value. So universally is this fact recognized, that in the Standard 
of Excellence,” no distinct characteristics are printed for Game Bantams, it being 
stated with regard to their general shape and colour that they are the same as in 
the corresponding varieties of Game fowl, but that those cocks weighing above 
24 ounces, or hens more than 20 ounces, are regarded as disqualified for com- 
petition. 
The ordinary Bantam form, with short legs, wings scraping the ground, and the 
carriage of the head and tail like that of a fantail pigeon, is exceedingly objection- 
able when occurring in Game Bantams. What should be aimed at is the well- 
developed thigh and leg, and gallant bearing of the Game cock ; with a long neck, 
and the wings closely pressed in to the body ; the head should be exceedingly neat, 
although the beak should be massive at the root ; but it is only a useless repetition 
to go over the points of Game Bantams in detail, for they are precisely similar to 
those already laid down in the chapter on Game Fowls. 
With regard to colour, the black-reds have been most abundant, and are those 
most generally shown. In this variety the cocks are usually good, but the hens 
are apt to be faulty in colour. 
Brown-reds are not as common as black-reds, but exceedingly good specimens 
are often shown. Duckwings, though not uncommon, are certainly not equal to the 
black or brown-reds. It is very rare to see a pen of Buckwing Game Bantams equal 
in colour to a good pen of full-sized Buckwing Game, but doubtless it will only 
require a few years more careful breeding to produce them as good in character as 
the other varieties. For many years Pile Game Bantams were regarded as great 
desiderata, and numerous were the attempts made to rear them by crossing the 
different breeds of Game Bantams with the common White Bantam. For a long 
time the efforts were not very successful, but at present we have Pile Game 
Bantams frequently appearing at our exhibitions ; not perhaps showing the full 
merits of the other breeds, but still very passable specimens of the variety. 
White Game Bantams are still desiderata. 
Of all Bantams the Game breeds are the hardiest and most self-reliant. They 
may be reared with safety anywhere ; for, being active, vigilant, and possessed of 
great powers of flight, they readily escape from all pursuers ; as sitters and mothers 
they are unsurpassed ; and being active foragers-, they And a large proportion 
of their own food, and when killed furnish the plumpest of all poultry for the 
table. 
FEATHER-LEGGED BANTAMS. 
The Feather-legged and Feather-footed Bantams were formerly amongst the 
most common of their race in this country. They were to be found of various 
Qolours, as black, white, yellow, and also speckled ; and were larger than the 
birds of the present day, and more stoutly built. They possessed one great 
recommendation in their comparative inability to employ their booted legs for 
the purpose of scratching ; their utility, therefore, in a garden, in destroying grubs 
