116 " STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



The following commentary on tlie evils of 

 this beastly sport, appeared in the Gentleman's 

 Magazine for April, 1789: "Died, on the 4th 

 day of April, John Ardesoif, Esq., a young 

 man of large fortune, and, in the splendor of 

 his horses and carriages, rivaled by few country 

 gentlemen. Mr. Ardesoif was very fond of cock- 

 fighting, and had a favorite cock, upon whom 

 he had won many profitable bets. The last bet 

 made upon this cock he lost, which so enraged 

 him, that he had him tied to a spit and roasted 

 alive, before a large fire. The screams of the 

 miserable cock were so affecting, that some 

 gentlemen who were present attempted to in- 

 terfere. This so enraged the owner, that he 

 seized a poker, and in the most furious manner 

 declared that he would kill the first man who 

 interfered. But in the midst of his passionate 

 threats, he fell down dead upon the spot !" 



The inhabitants of Sumatra fight their cocks 

 for vast sums. A man has been known to 

 stake his wife and children, and another his 

 mother and sister, on the issue of a battle. A 

 fiither on his death-bed, is said to have directed 

 his son to lay out his entire property in the 

 purchase of a certain celebrated cock. 



A hen, who had reared three broods of 

 ducks in three successive years, became so 



