



188 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



The choice of a cock, says M. Parmentier, is a very im- 

 portant thing. He is considered to have every requisite 

 quality, when he is of a good middling size, when he carries 

 his head high, has a quick, animated look, a strong and shrill 

 voice, short bill, a fine red comb, shining as if varnished, wat- 

 tles of a large size, and of the same color as the comb, the 

 breast broad, the wings strong, the plumage black, or of an 

 obscure red, the thighs very muscular, the legs thick, and fur- 

 nished with strong spurs, the claws rather bent and sharply 

 pointed. He ought also to be free in his motions, to crow 

 frequently, and to scratch the ground often in search of worms, 

 not so much for himself, as to treat his hens. He ought, 

 withal, to be brisk, spirited, ardent, and ready in caressing the 

 hens, quick in defending them, attentive in soliciting them to 

 eat, in keeping them together, and in assembling them at 

 night. 



In breeding game cocks, says Mr. Dickson, the qualities 

 sportsmen require in a brood cock are every mark of perfect 

 health, such as a ruddy complexion, the feathers close, short, 

 and not feeling cold or dry ; the flesh firm and compact, while 

 he ought to be full-breasted, (betokening good lungs,) yet 

 taper and thin behind ; full in the girth, well coupled, lofty 

 and aspiring, with a good thigh, the beam of his leg very 

 strong, the eye large and vivid, the beak strong, crooked, and 

 thick at the base. 



All authorities agree, that a cock is in his prime at two 

 years old, though we have ourselves had cocks of four months 

 so precocious as to show every mark of full vigor, while others 

 of the same brood did not appear in this state for many months 

 afterwards. 



It is by no means unfrequent, however, to see unskilful per- 

 sons keep cocks with their hens for six or eight years, when 

 they are quite useless, though they may live on even till the 



