Malcolm,

I would dispute your supposition that Harte's line 'Napoleon like a bantam cock sat mounted on a bar'is a mistake for 'car.' My remarks are not just a rationalisation of something mis-heard, but rather come from the knowledge of the practice of training the fighting cock by mounting him on a bar. Itis a recognised practice by cockers, it is an actual fact, not just a rationalisation. The practice is still in use today.