GAME FOWLS. 119 



" The following letter from Col. Adam G. Summer, of S. C., to the 

 author, gives so ample and beautiful a description of this fowl, that 

 further comment here is unnecessary : 



" 'This unique variety was introduced in 1844, by Gen. "Waddy 

 Thompson, of this State, on his return from Mexico. It is a favorite 

 variety with the Mexicans, and their Mexican name is ' Gallus Galle- 

 nos' cock-hens from the fact that the male birds have short, broad 

 tails, and, in color and plumage, the appearance of the hens of the 

 same variety, differing only in the combs, which are very large and 

 erect in the cocks, and small in the hens. 



" ' In Mexico they are fought without trimming, and the common 

 Game cock will not attack these hen-looking cocks. The Mexican 

 cock is generally pheasant-colored, with occasional changes in plumage 

 from a light yellow to a dark grey, and recently, in the stock in Car- 

 olina, there has been a tendency to black tail feathers and breast, as 

 well as an inclination to grey and light yellow, and with a slight 

 approximation to red hackles in some rare instances. 



" ' The majority of the whole stock, however, preserves the original 

 pheasant-color. This variety has a strong frame, and the largest and 

 most muscular thighs of any fowl I have as yet seen. This gives 

 quick power to fierce action in fight, and if not killed immediately, 

 he is sure to be victorious. I do not know whether they will fight 

 well in a cold climate like yours The cocks are distinguished by 

 large upright combs, strong bills, and very lustrous eyes. Their legs 

 vary from a dirty to a dark green color. The hens differ so little 

 from the cocks that a description is unnecessary. 



" ' They are as good layers and setters as any other Game breed, and 

 are good nurses. The cock which was the progenitor of all the stock 

 now in the United States, was presented to Gen. Thompson by Gen. 

 Santa Anna, just before he closed his official career as Minister to 

 Mexico, and was victorioxis in a large main, fought by the famous 

 cock-fighting Mexicans. Gen. Thompson sent to Queretaro for some 

 hens, and thence sprang all the true cock -hens now in this country. 

 Those sent by my brother, Wm. Summer, to Mr. Giles, Dr. Wight, 

 and Mr. Buxton, are from a pair presented to him by Gen. Thomp- 

 son, out of the original stock. 



" ' Their crosses on other Game breeds are highly esteemed here as 

 fighting fowls, and their muscular forms adapt ^them as well for the 

 spit as for the pit. "Wm. Summer breeds them in their purest state, 

 and regards them as a valuable fowl for domestic purposes. 



" 'A. G. SUMMER.' 



" Mr. "William Summer, in a letter to the writer, dated July 23d, 

 1850, in speaking of these fowls, says: 



" ' I had concluded to send you a hen of mine to make out the pair, 

 one that Gen. Thompson sent me as particularly fine; though I say, 

 in all sincerity of heart, that the pair sent by me to Mr. John Giles, 

 was the best pair I have ever bred. You are fortunate in securing 

 them from him, as they will give the very best representation of the 

 breed when in full feather. Mr. Giles, in a recent letter, informed me 

 that the cock had improved very much.' 



