GAME. 13 



red, is most beautiful and rich ; their size some- 

 what below the common, and their symmetry and 

 delicacy of limbs to be compared with those of the 

 race-horse and the deer, or, in more strict analogy, 

 with the wild species of their own genus. The an- 

 cients kept game cocks for the same purpose as 

 the moderns, and there is a game breed at present 

 existing in India ; but I have not hitherto obtained 

 any information as to the origin of our game breed, 

 which has been established during many centuries in 

 this country. Their flesh is of the most beautiful 

 white, and superior to that of all other breeds of 

 domestic fowls, for richness and delicacy of flavour ; 

 but the extreme difficulty of rearing the chickens, 

 from their natural pugnacity of disposition, which 

 shows itself at the earliest possible period, deters most 

 breeders, excepting those who breed for the cock- 

 pit. I have many times had whole broods, scarcely 

 feathered, stone-blind from fighting, to the very 

 smallest individuals ; the rival couples moping in 

 corners, and renewing their battles on obtaining the 

 first ray of light. On this account few can be reared, 

 and as this disposition, to a certain degree, prevails in 

 the half bred, it prevents crossing with the game cock, 

 otherwise a great improvement. The game eggs are 

 smaller than common, finely shaped, and extremely 

 delicate. 



Philanthropists are in the habit - of declaiming 

 much against the practice of cock-pit battles ; but, 

 on reflection, the cruelty of that sport will be found 

 among the least wherein the feelings of animals 

 are concerned, since fighting, in the game cock, is 



