APPENDIX D 



Mr. Hackwood* gives the following rules, which 

 regulated inter-county and other important matches in 

 the last days of cock righting : 



Rule I. The pit shall be circular, 12 feet diameter and 

 1 8 inches high, the floor to be covered with carpet 

 and a match made in the middle of the pit 



Rule II. The cockers, or pitters, shall each choose a 

 judge who shall choose another, whose decisions on 

 all questions of fighting and bets shall be final 



Rule III. All cocks to be weighed before being pitted, 

 unless in a catch-weight fight : and no bird must be 

 handled after fairly delivered unless on permission of 

 the referee 



Rule IV. When a cock is fast in his adversary the 

 owner shall draw the spurs out but not hold him any 

 longer than is necessary for releasing him 



Rule V. If after the cocks have been pitted, they refuse 

 to fight while the pitters count ten times ten or a 

 hundred, a fresh bird must be pitted and the owners 

 must toss which bird is to fight, the winner to have 

 choice. The odd bird must be taken up, but not 

 away from the pit. If these two refuse it is a drawn 

 battle, but if one strike he is the winner 



Rule VI. No pitter shall be permitted during a fight 

 to clean his bird's beak or eyes or press him against 

 the floor, or squeeze him to make him fight 



*0ld English Sports. By F. W. Hackwood. (1907) 



