46 THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 



is a black-breasted red, with a purple band across the 

 wing, and, though superior in size to the Bankiva 

 iungle fowl, it closely resembles that bird in plumage 

 and in elegance of contour. 



The exterior qualifications of a male bird of this 

 variety, is described by an anonymous writer in the 

 following words : " In the choice of the game or 

 fighting cock, four things are to be principally con- 

 sidered ; these are shape, color, courage, and the sharp- 

 ness of the heel. As to the shape, such a one should 

 be chosen as is neither too small nor too large ; the 

 very large ones are always clumsy and unwieldy, and 

 the small ones are slow and tedious in fighting, and 

 are generally too weak to stand a very tight battle ; 

 another disadvantage to these extremes, is, that they 

 are very difficult to be matched ; the middle size ought 

 therefore to be preferred, as he is generally the most 

 nimble and active with his strength, and the matching 

 him is easy. The head ought to be small, the eyes 

 large and brisk, and the beak strong and hooked at the 

 setting on ; its color ought also to answer to that of 

 the principal or general color of the feathers, whether 

 they be yellow, reddish, or grey. The beam of his leg 

 ought to be very strong, and, according to his plumage, 

 either blue, grey, or yellow ; and the spurs ought to 

 be rough, long, and sharp, a little bending and point- 

 ing inward. The three colors esteemed in the game 

 cock are grey, yellow, and red, with a black breast. 

 The perfection of a cock is not, however, tied down to 

 these colors absolutely, for experience has shown that 

 there are cocks of other colors which have proved 

 excellent ones, but these are, in general, the best. The 

 pied cock sometimes turns out good, but the white and 

 dun are seldom of any value. If the neck of a cock 

 be invested with a circle of scarlet complexion, it is a 

 sign that he is strong and vigorous, and has great 

 courage ; but if it be pale and wan, it denotes him to 

 be defective in these material particulars," 



The game cock is by no means the aggressive san- 



