THE GAME COCK. 



303 



Considering their insignificant means of defence, con- 

 sisting, in great measure, of the spur on the leg of the 

 male, few birds exhibit a more bold and resolute spirit 

 than the Poultry tribe, in which we may include Phea- 

 sants, so nearly are they allied to our common barn-door 

 fowls, in their habits and 

 mode of life. We knew an 

 instance where a barn-door 

 Cock became the terror of 

 his little domain. Accus- 

 tomed to be fed by his 

 owner, a clergyman, he 

 shortly began to express 

 his disappointment by very 

 determined attacks, if his 

 master happened to pass 

 him without the accustomed 

 offering. On one occasion 

 he actually struck a piece 

 out of a strong kerseymere 

 gaiter, and repeated the at- Game Cock. 



tack, in spite of some severe kicks which it was found 

 necessary to inflict in self-defence. Nothing daunted, 

 though occasionally fairly kicked several yards, like a 

 foot-ball, he would still come on as fiercely as ever, for 

 three or four times. 



During one of these assaults he received an injury 

 which lamed him for a week ; but no sooner had he re- 

 covered than he became as pugnacious as ever. His 

 reasoning, too, appeared to be on a par with his courage, 

 for he soon discovered that women were protected by 

 the lower part of their dress ; and accordingly, instead 

 of flying at their legs and feet, he invariably flew at 

 their heads, fixing himself on their shoulders. To such 

 a degree did he carry on this warfare, that the female 

 who had charge of feeding the fowls, and had been 

 accustomed to poultry all her life, never ventured into 

 the yard without some weapon of defence. His offensive 



