100 GAME FOWLS. 



but I generally prefer to breed the black, or very dark, as a matter of 

 fancy. 



The Sumatra Pheasant Games are among the very finest of the 

 Wild Indian bloods, and compare favorably with any of the game 

 race. Like all well bred Games, they never cringe they never cower 

 before the steel, nor quail at the terrors of the bloody pit They 

 were imported into Boston, from the island of Sumatra, by Mr. J. A. 



C. Butters and Mr. Joseph Muncreeff, and closely resemble the Ben- 

 gal Games in general contoui', with the exception of the length of the 

 neck, which is usually shorter. The small pea-comb and tiny wattles 

 of this breed of Games, require but little trimming to fit them for 

 the pit. 



The males have a small dew-lap, like the Wild Indian Mountain 

 Fowl, but never have the muffler which is always to be found in that 

 unique bird. They are fast and indomitable fighters, and their other 

 qualities are the same as other high bred Games. Their plumage is 

 usually brilliant, and their symmetry unsurpassed ; in fact, I should 

 not consider my Game stock complete without the beautiful Sumatras. 



Mr. J. A. C. Butters, the importer, from whom I obtained my stock, 

 in a letter to the writer, of March 20th, 1851, observes: 



"As to the history of the Sumatra Pheasant Games, I can only 

 say I received two hens and one cock o*f this breed, direct from 

 Anger's Point, Island of Sumatra, India, April, 1847. These fowls 

 are found there in flocks of twenty or mone, and fly across from the 

 Island of Sumatra to the Island of Java ; the natives call them Pheas- 

 ants, and are very choice of those they capture and breed. They are 

 kept almost exclusively for fighting there. The natives get them very 

 domestic. I have spent considerable time in finding some history of 

 them in print, but have not, as they are distinctly from the Bankiva 

 cock, that being quite small, and carries the tail erect, like the Sea- 

 bright Bantam. There is the skin of one of the same at Washington, 



D. C., in the collection of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, I took a 

 drawing of it last fall, when there it is the same fowl. It was in a 

 cabinet of birds from the East Indies. At that time they were num- 

 bered, but no account had been then printed. These fowls have proved 

 to be most excellent layers. I do not exaggerate when I say that they 

 will Jay a greaterweight of eggs than any other breed, in the same 

 time, I say weight, because there is so much said about the large size 

 of the Cochin Chinas, Shanghaes, &c., <fcc. The Game eggs appear 

 small, but, like the fowl, are of extra weight ; the flesh is unsurpassed 

 by any domestic breed ; they are small eaters ; very quiet when 

 acquainted with each other, and do not quarrel as much as DUNG-HILLS, 

 but when opposed by a strang'er, their tenacity of purpose and courage, 

 is unequalled by any bird. They do not come to maturity before the 

 end of a year. If you will examine the spur of those sent, you will 

 see that it is not set firm. They ought never to strike a blow until 

 the spur is firmly set to the leg. I have but one breed of fowls, and 

 have had no other for nearly four years ; I have bred GAME FOWLS 

 for over eight years, (for sportsmen mostly.) The superiority of the 

 Sumatra over all other Game breeds, is the natural strength, com- 

 pactness of body and feathers, and unusual intelligence, and natural 



