October 10, 1980

Dear Mr Plant,

I am enclosing a copy of a proposed standard for the Australian Game Bantam which I hope you will review promptly and return with any suggested changes you may deem appropriate.

In order to meet our standard requirements for the Game breed, which are put on exhibition, any bird exhibited after November 1st, the male must be dubbed. You will notice that I have made a designation to this effect for the cockerel and it is further qualified that in the Southern Hemisphere that the date will be May 1st. In setting the date, I have assumed that your seasons are exactly opposite of ours here in the Northern Hemisphere. Is this correct? I wish you would advise me further regarding the time of the year when your principal hatching is done, etc.

I am also in a quandary about setting proper weights for these bantams. The brochure you forwarded states that cocks may vary in weight from 9 to 12 pounds and that mature hens will weigh up to 10 pounds. We normally consider that bantams which have a larger counterpart should weigh from one-quarter to one-fifth of the large fowl weight. You will notice that the weights I have assigned are less than one fifth of that of the large fowl. The standard for modern game bantams for both the English and American Standards are somewhat smaller than I have designated. My experience in producing the miniatures of large fowl which takes about four generations is that if you set your goals too low, you experience a number of problems. I will be guided with your desires on what the weights should be.

In connection with the eye color, which was stated as pearl, yellow or daw, I have shown the three colors but this is not in accord with our rules. Which should the dominant color be? I cannot find a dictionary description of the color daw. Can you describe what this color is? As to the shanks and toes, I chose the color willow in preference to willow or olive, because there is very little real difference and that willow is often referred to as a leg color.

Sincerely,

P.S. - In giving further consideration to the disqualifications, it may be that undubbed males are acceptable in the showroom in Australia which is contrary to the American practices. In the event that this is true, the disqualifications should be modified to permit undubbed specimens in Australia, will you please advise on this matter? The probability is that the description of this breed will appear in our 1981 Yearbook, so you will have plenty of time to get illustrations prepared for this breed.