FARM-YARD FOWLS. 



121 



It is common to every caste and condition to 

 every age and vocation ; and even women are 

 sometimes the willing observants of this barba- 

 rous sport. It is attended by every body. 



" When I entered the cock-pit Santa Anna 

 and General Bravo, with a large number of the 

 most distinguished men in Mexico, and quite a 

 large number of ladies of the highest circles, 

 were already there. The master of ceremonies 

 on the occasion walked into the pit, and ex- 

 claimed two or three times, ' Ave Maria puris- 

 issima, los gallos vienen' Hail most pure Mary, 

 the chicken-cocks are coming. Whereupon a 

 cock is brought in covered, and a challenge is 

 proclaimed to all comers which is very soon 

 accepted. The fowls are then uncovered, and 

 allowed to walk about the pit, that the specta- 

 tors may see them, and select the one on which 

 they choose to risk their money. Those in the 

 seats call some of the numerous brokers who 

 are always in attendance, and give them what- 

 ever sum they desire to bet, and designate their 

 favorite cock. Before the fight-commences, the 

 broker returns and informs the person whose 

 money he has received whether his bet has been 

 taken. If he loses, he sees no more of the bro- 

 ker ; but if he wins, he is perfectly sure to get 

 his money. A small gratuity is expected by 

 the broker, but never asked for, if it is not vol- 

 untarily given. 



" Unlike cock-pits in other countries, attend- 

 ed by black-legs and pickpockets, and gentle- 

 manly row^s, by far the largest portion of the 

 assembly in the pit was composed of the first 

 young men in Mexico, and for that matter, of 

 the first old ones also. There was neither con- 

 fusion, nor noise, nor even loud talking, far less 

 swearing, among the lowest of those assembled 

 in the ring ; and it is this quiet and orderly be- 

 havior which throws over all these incongruities 

 a cloak of decency and decorum, that hides their 

 impropriety so completely, that even foreigners, 

 who have lived here for a few years, and who 

 were at first struck with astonishment by these 

 things, are now quite reconciled to them." 



Among the amusements at Lima the cock- 

 pit is a great attraction, and all classes frequent 

 it. The cocks are armed with steel spurs, and 

 the battle is soon determined. 



DOMINIQUE FOWL. 



This well-known variety of our domestic fowl, 

 there is good reason to believe, is old and dis- 

 tinct, though it is generally looked upon as a 

 mere " farm-yard fowl ;" that is, the accidental 

 result of promiscuous crossing ; but there are sev- 

 eral forms among the farm-yard fowls, so called, 

 that are seen to be repeated generation after 

 generation, the counterparts of which are to be 

 met with, scattered here and there, over this 

 country. So constant repetition of corresponding 

 features would seem to declare that there are 

 several unnoticed and undistinguished varieties 

 of fowls which deserve to be regarded and treat- 

 ed as we do other distinct varieties. 



The Dominique fowl, well selected and care- 

 fully bred, is a fine and useful bird. They are 

 distinguished as Dominique by their markings 

 and their color, which is generally considered 

 an indication of hardiness and fecundity. They 

 are by some called " Hawk-colored fowls," from 

 their strong resemblance in color to the birds of 

 that name. In England they are usually called 

 " Cuckoo fowls," from the fancied resemblance 

 of their plumage to the feathers on the Cuckoo's 

 breast. We seldom see bad hens of this variety, 

 and, take them " all-in-all," we do not hesitate 

 in pronouncing them one of the best and most 

 profitable fowls, being hardy, good layers, care- 

 ful nurses, and affording excellent eggs and first 

 quality of flesh. 



In any close grouping of the breeds of poul- 

 try, the Dominique fowl might perhaps be safe- 

 ly referred to the Dorkings. Some of the slate- 

 colored, barred Dorkings are scarcely distin- 

 guished from them, except by the fifth toe ; still 

 there is something very permanent and remark- 

 able in the peculiar style of plumage that ought 

 not to be lost sight of. It is with difficulty got 

 rid of by crossing. Half-bred Spanish and 

 Dorking fowls have quite retained the barred 

 and shaded feathers of the one parent, display- 

 ing the comb, ear-lobe and stature of the other. 

 And this curious and decided plumage is quite 

 confined to one or two breeds, never appear- 

 ing, that we are aware, in others, such as the 

 Game, the Malays, and the Hamburgs; a cir- 

 cumstance which makes us believe it to mdi- 



