GAME FOWLS. 123 



fested at a very early age, on which account but few can be rearod, 

 and that the same disposition, to a certain degree, prevails in the half- 

 breed. 



I admit this, in regard to the half-breed, but not so with the pure 

 bred Game fowl, having raised them for several years, principally for 

 my own table use, and on account of .their beautiful plumage and 

 symmetry. I have now in view, while writing this, eighteen stags, 

 now about six months old, all running together in perfect harmony, 

 never having fought ; but it will not continue so long ; they ai - e now 

 large enough for market, some of them weighing between five and 

 six pounds, and must either be sent there, turned over to the cook, or 

 separated very soon. 



I have often been asked what I do with these fowls. My reply is, 

 I eat them. They seem astonished at the answer, it being the opinion 

 of many that they are only raised for fighting, or that they are too 

 valuable to eat. 



I would not exchange a fine, fat Game pullet, well roasted, for any 

 other dish of the feathered tribe. The eggs are also far superior, two 

 of which are worth three common eggs of the same size, cither for 

 eating or culinary purposes ; and these two are equal in weight to the 

 the three. The specific gravity in this case, as in the fowl, determines 

 its relative quality. 



Yours truly, A. C. PHIN. 



The following graphic description of a cock fight, is from % 

 Nolan's work : 



The only persons allowed on the platform, are the setters-to. The 

 first I shall name Nash, the younger; he was followed by a stout, 

 plump, old, ostler-looking man, named Nash, the elder. This person 

 carried a white bag, containing one of the brave birds for the battle. 

 The two men stepped upon the mat ; the hubbub is instantaneous 

 "Two to one on ISTashl" "A guinea on Nash" Nash a crown!" 

 The bets are laid on the setter-to. From the opposite side of the pit, 

 a similar procession entered; the setter-to, Fleming, byname, did not 

 appear so great a favorite as young Nash. The chuckle of the cock 

 in his bag, was answered deeply and savagely from the other, and the 

 straw seemed spurned in the narrow cell. 



Nash's bag was carefully untied, and Nash himself took out one of 

 the handsomest birds I think I ever beheld ; he was a red and black 

 bird ; slim, masculine, trimmed, yet with feathers glossy, as though 

 the sun shone only on his nervous wings ; his neck arose out of the 

 bag, snake-like terrible as if it woiild stretch upwards to the ceil- 

 ing ; his body followed compact, strong and beautiful ; and his long, 

 dark-blue, sinewy legs came forth clean, handsome, shapely, deter- 

 mined, iron-like ! The silver spur was on each heel, of an inch and a 

 half in length, tied on in the most delicate and neat manner ; hia 

 large, vigorous beak, showed aquiline, eagle-like; and his black, 

 dilating eyes, took in all around him, and shone so intensely brilliant, 

 that they looked like jewels ; their light was that of thoughtful, 

 sedate, and savage courage ; his comb was cut close ; his neck trim- 

 med ; his wings clipped, pointed and strong ; the feathers on his back 



