THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY C+ENTLEMAN, Maech 1, 1859. 
34 fi 
varieties; the prizes were, however, both given to one breed 
(Brahma Pootras). 
In Aylesbury Duels, Mr. J. K. Fowler took first prize with a 
pen that left little to be desired. 
W e are able to speak most highly of the Bantam classes, and 
more especially of the first-prize pen belonging to Mr. Leigh. 
The Pigeons were few in number, but of rare quality ; the whole 
of the prizes being taken by two well-known exhibitors—viz., 
Messrs. Child and Brown. 
The Single Game Cod■ and Cockerel classes were, in them¬ 
selves, a Show. Messrs. Sutherland and Leigh, who took the 
first prizes, exhibited birds that left nothing to be desired. 
The Judges were—Messrs. S. Eoulds, of Chowbent, near Man¬ 
chester; and Mr. W. Chorley, of Warrington. 
GAME BANTAMS. 
I tieae so many different opinions of what a Game Bantam 
ought to ha in shape, make, and carriage, that I am sorely 
puzzled; therefore appeal to you for your advice. I am told 
that a Game Bantam ought to be, in shape, make, and carriage, 
the same as a Game cock in miniature; having his wings not in 
the least depressed, but compressed, or tightly drawn up. On 
the other hand, I am told he should have depressed wings—-the 
shape, make, and carriage which are generally recognised as be¬ 
longing, in fowls, specially to Bantams, and in Pigeons to Fan- j 
tails. He is only a Bantam, not a Game cock; therefore, why is ! 
he to differ in those points from his brother Bantams ? Now, I 
are his wings to be depressed or not ? that is the question. 
In the “ Poultry Book,” by Messrs. Wingfield and Johnson, 
published in 1853, at p. 140, amongst the characteristics of the ! 
Game Cock we find these words, “The wings inclined to expand, 
and cover the thighs, somewhat after the manner of a Bantam.” 
I understand that means not so much as in the Bantam. At 
p. 194, in the description of a Bantam, it is stated, “ Wrings 
depressed, especially in the male birds.” And at p. 195, in refe¬ 
rence to the black-breasted red Bantam, Mr. Hewitt says, “ In 
colour and general appearance being the fac-similo of a diminutive 
Game fowl of that breed.” 
At a recent Poultry Show, I was told that Game Bantams with 
depressed w ings have not a chanco of a prize. 
I have been brought up with the idea that one of the charac¬ 
teristics of a Bantam was a depressed wing, and that it could 
hardly be too much so. I do not maintain for an instant that I 
have been properly informed on that point. I seek information ; 
and I want an established rule either one way or the other; so 
that it may not bo left to the caprice of any Judge or other 
person, and that we may have a rule to guide us in judging and 
breeding. 
It is much to be desired that there should be established rules 
for all classes of poultry. I have mentioned this to one of the 
Secretaries of one of our principal Poultry Shows, and hope it 
will be carried out. 
I am not a little surprised to see in a letter in a contemporary 
of the 12th instant, from an eminent poultry judge, that “in ! 
Duckwing Bantams numerous deficiencies have been passed over 
on account of the rareness of the colour.” To say the least of it, 
is that fair play towards good birds P Would persons in general 
purchase or continue to breed bad-shaped horses because they 
happened to be of a rare colour ? Again : would it be right in 1 
the case of an exhibition of horses and ealtle, that one of them, 
though having numerous deficiencies, should have the prize 
awarded because he or she was of a rare colour P I trow not. 
Such a system will and does mislead. Let the Judges remark 
upon them by notes appended to then 1 decisions, but not award 
them the prize.—S apebe Atjde. 
[Recent shows should prove to any observer, that certain mles ! 
have been carried out in judging Game Bantams. These classes 
are a new and popular introduction, and have about them that 
which belongs to no others. They are the representatives of a 
class of larger birds, only reduced in size. Game Bantams should 
be very small Game fowls. No Game Cock would be allowed to 
compete for a prize if he dropped his wings, if he were rightly 
judged. That would not accord with the hard, close, compact 
plumage that is so essential to success, or to the firm, bold outline 
of shape that is necessary. The Sebright Bantam is a composite 
bird ; and, when perfect, realizes the object of its Maker—a bold, 
strutting, vain bird,—tire Tappertit of fowls,—with depressed 
wings, a dainty gait, and strutting as though the earth were 
unworthy to carry him. A double comb is essential to this bird ; 
a single one is fatal; so is a dose wing. What single combs and 
close wings, then, are to Sebrights, drooping wings would be to 
Game. Bat this is not the only point in which Bantams differ. 
Sickle-tail-feathers disqualify Sebrights; they are essential to 
Black and White. 
The Game Bantams should have a snake head, close feather, 
ample and streaming tail. He should bo bold in his carriage; in 
fact, the counterpart of his larger brother. 
We know not who the eminent judge may be who allows the 
colour of Duckwings to cover numerous deficiencies ; but we 
do know, that at the Crystal Palace and Liverpool, their colour 
could not save them from defeat. The colour is no longer rare, 
though not so numerous as Black Reds. They were first shown 
at the London Show, some years ago, by Mr. Forrest. They 
were very rare then; since that time they have become, com¬ 
paratively' speaking, plentiful. 
It is not for us to say what the Judges will do : but we advise 
those who are breeding Game Bantams always to carry a Game 
fowl in their eye when they look at them ; and, above all, to do 
so when they are selecting for exhibition. Above all, avoid a 
drooping w ing, and choose the carriage of a Game Cock. 
The difference between a Game and Sebright Bantam may be 
distinguished as dignity and impudence.] 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Vertigo ik A Fowl, (One in the Ring). — Wo have tittle doubt that your 
cockerel has a pressure on the brain. Having bled him without benefit, 
we can only recommend in addition, that you keep him on soft, low diet, 
such as boiled rice and mashed potatoes. Do not let him be exposed to 
the sun ; but let him out into a grass run when it is cool and cloudy. The 
affection, probably, arises from a ruptured small blood vessel in the head. 
Do not let him bo frightened ; and do not let him have much food at a time. 
Sei.i.inq Fowi.s (K. T).). —We know of no dealers who buy as you 
require. We should send the birds, if good, to Mr. Stevens, and have 
them sold at one of his poultry auctions. 
Preston Pout,try Show (O. R .).—We believe all that you state, and 
should do so even without the many other complaints which we have re¬ 
ceived ; but we cannot insert your letter. If all the other complainants 
resolve ns you do, “ to have done with the Preston Show,” its Committee 
must cither have other Judges, or it will be abandoned. 
Legs of Game Fowi.s (J. R.). —You must not ho alarmed at what you 
hear from some of your friends, about the colour of your Game fowls’ 
logs. Any colour is correct, prodded all in the pen are the same. There 
is no fixed colour for the legs. Neither do we see any objection to feather. 
Short legs are not desirable in a Game cock, and that is the only serious 
fault we discover in your description. If they have won in Yorkshire, 
they have not much to’ fear in other counties. 
Pori.Titv Stock {Fred. Tt.). —It is very fortunate that you only require 
eggs, otherwise Hamburglis, Shanghaes, and Dorkings, mingling together, 
would give strange combinations. As you only require eggs, the single 
cock may remain sole lord of the zenana. We suppose you have a yard, 
or run, for the birds besides the sixteen-feet-by-eight-feet house. 
Breasts of Dorkixgs (Monte Christo). —The crooked breasts of your 
white Dorkings would not be a disqualification, unless the competition 
were very close, and no other means existed of deciding. But it is an in¬ 
dication of weakness, arising either from want of constitution, or bad 
feeding w hen tiro chickens are young. It will be only a wise precaution to 
get a fresh cock, and to be sure ho is straight-breasted. If your perches 
are very narrow, substitute widor ones. 
Condemned Ship Biscuits (Local Subscriber). — Ship biscuit is a 
valuable adjunct in feeding poultry, it it is not mouldy. We should think 
it quite as good as Indian corn, but not so good as oatmeal. We should 
approve of it for a change, say two days per week; or, in the summer, a 
little oftener. Variety is the great desideratum in feeding, providing none 
of the food is hurtful. Whole corn is the most extravagant. One part is 
lost, and another taken by small birds. We are not sufficiently acquainted 
with the merits of ship biscuit to give an opinion of its properties com¬ 
pared with otbei food ; but, when soaked, it must be good ; and we should 
not hesitate to use it for any fowls twice in the week. There is no doubt 
soft food, such as this would make, is very beneficial to poultry ; and we 
recommend you to try it. We shall be glad if you will favour us with 
your experience. 
Burnley Poultry Show. —“ Can you inform me when it is likely the 
prizes awarded at the Burnley Poultry Show will bo paid '! Considering 
that it is now nearly two months since the Show was held, T think this 
delay is not creditable to the Committee, whose conduct, in this respoct, 
contrasts very unfavourably with the course pursued at Ulverston and 
Poulton, where the prizes are already paid. I fear this is not yet the ease 
as regards Crewe.”—A Beginner. 
Poultry in Confined Sr ace (/. Mackenzie). —In a space twenty feet 
by nine feet, do not think of keeping Dorking*. Any variety of the Cochin- 
China, among which wc include Brahma Pootras, will do the best. One 
cock and four hens will be the most you ought thus to confine. 
White Trumpeters (L. M. TV. 1.—You will find your inquiry answered 
in a paper on the points of the varieties, which is already in the printer’s 
hands; and for further particulars see Cottage Gardener, N'o, 431. 
June‘Jth, 1857,-B,P. B. ’ 
