118 GAME FOWLS. 



MEXICAN GAME FOWL. 



The description of these Game fowls is taken from the " Old 

 Colony Memorial," a paper published at Plymouth, Mass. It is 

 from the pen of Dr. Bennett: 



" These fowls are in many respects remarkable. The Spanish name 

 'Gallus Gallenos,' or 'hen-cock,' (Latin Gallus Gallinaceous,) at 

 once introduces us to their principal peculiarity. The cocks, to all 

 intents and purposes, resemble ordinary hens the only marked dif- 

 ference being in the size of the comb and wattles. They are compar- 

 atively destitute of neck and rump hackles. The color is usually 

 similar to that of a partridge ; the legs are dark and smooth, the eyes 

 lustrous, and the plume feathers are shorter and less brilliant than 

 those of other fowls. 



" In size, they compare favorably with other Game fowls. Their 

 general aspect is ferocious, and their movements are lively and grace- 

 ful. They are what 'cockers' call fast fighters. The particular 

 fowls here described; are those obtained by me from John Giles, Esq., 

 of Providence, and Dr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, and are now owned 

 by C. W. Mead, of Chiccopee, and Samuel Parker, of Worcester. 



"The cock has been subjected to the severest tests, by Mr. Mead, and 

 found to evince unflinching courage before the steel. When first 

 imported to the north, he would not breast the large breeds would 

 run, though not cower but now in condition, and acclimated, he will 

 stand the steel of his antagonist, without even being himself ' heeled.' 

 He now, like the Sumatra and Wild Indian Games, will stand to be 

 cut down, without in the least flinching. I should never desire fowls 

 for fighting purposes, but fowls that will fight, always have remarkably 

 fine and savory flesh, and are superior to all others for the ' spit' as 

 well as for the 'pit.' In fact, it is for beauty, and the table, that most 

 people prefer the Game breeds. 



" Wm. Johnson, Esq., of Ky., a very screntinc breeder of Game 

 fowls, in writing to me, on this subject, observes, ' I am no cock- 

 fighter, but I like a good horse, a good gun and dog, and a pretty 

 Game bird. For the table, they have no equal among the domestic 

 fowls.' 



"In speaking of the Mexican Games, in a letter of the 12th of 

 December, 1850, Mr. Johnson further remarks: 



" 'I read Gen. Waddy Thompson's 'Recollections of Mexico,' when 

 it was first published, and recollect his speaking of the Game cock 

 Gen. Santa Anna gave him. Some of our Mexican soldiers brought 

 home some cocks from Mexico, but they won't do. They, however, 

 differ from the cock described of Waddy Thompson's. The great 

 requisites in Game cocks, are, first, courage, and next, to ~befast. ' The 

 battle is not so nrach to the strong as to the swift.' 



" The hen is an imported Cuban Game fowl, now owned by Mr. 

 Mead. 



" This breed are perfectly black, and have all the points of the 

 best sorts of Game fowls. Their prowess is wonderful, and it is rarely 

 the case that one of them survives a defeat. 



