406 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
earth which feeds them both. The Cock is a perfect model of a 
sultan ; he attaches an entire seraglio to his train. His love is a 
curious mixture of delicate attentions and revolting brutalities. See 
him walking in the midst of his companions, he assumes an air at 
once proud and defiant. He directs his wives, protects them, watches 
them with restless tenderness, and if he finds a savoury morsel he 
unselfishly offers it to them. When the time for feeding comes, by 
voice he invites them to pick up the grain spread upon the ground ; 
on the contrary at other times he is cruel and brutal both to hens 
and chickens. Of a jealous character, the Cock cannot suffer a 
rival; thus battles are inevitable when two males inhabit the same 
poultry-yard. With flashing eyes, head lowered, and feathers of 
the neck bristled, the two adversaries observe each other for a 
time in silence. At last the storm breaks with violence ; they pre- 
cipitate themselves upon each other, and fearlessly fight with both 
beak and spurs till the earth is reddened with their blood. These 
battles, which sometimes last an hour, only cease to recommence 
the next day, till one of the champions succumbs, or acknow- 
ledges the supremacy of the victor. ‘The cock sometimes employs 
his courage and strength in more noble contests, for he does not 
fear to expose his life tor the defence of his seraglio. Man, who 
knows how to utilise even the bad instincts of animals, has not 
failed to employ their natural combativeness in ministering to his 
pleasures. In olden times the Greeks delighted in cock-fights ; 
those of Rhodes were particularly renowned for their game quall- 
ties. It is related that Themistocles, marching against the Persians, 
who had invaded Greece, and seeing the troops very much dis- 
couraged before the battle, recalled to them the obstinacy these 
birds displayed in their combats, and then added, ‘‘ These animals 
show their courage for the pleasure of victory ; but you, soldiers, 
you go to fight for your gods, for the tombs of your fathers, for your 
children, for your freedom.” These words reanimated the failing 
ardour of the Greek troops, and the Persians were vanquished. In 
memory of this event the Athenians consecrated a special day in the 
year to cock-fighting. The Romans borrowed this pastime from the 
Greeks. Even in the present day cock-fighting is still in favour in 
various parts of the East. In Java, Sumatra, and Manilla this 
amusement is carried to the length of folly ; the inhabitants of these 
countries scarcely ever travel without a favourite bird, which they 
carry under their arm. It is by no means rare to find gamblers 
betting not only their fortune, but even their wives or daughters, upon 
the strength and dexterity of a champion cock. In England the 
