270 



SONNERAT'S JUNGLE FOWL. 



SONXERAT'S JUNGLE FOWL. 



This splendid bird is celebrated for its courage, and is in grea* 



request among the cock- 

 fighters of Ilindostan. 

 Its port is erect and 

 stately, and its form la 

 admirable. In size it is 

 equal to the domestic 

 fowl ; but it is lighter 

 and more graceful. The 

 comb is slightly indent- 

 ed, the wattles are large 

 and double; the mark- 

 ings as represented in 

 the figure. The female 

 is a third less in size than 

 the male. 



As this species of 

 Jungi'e fowl is one of the 

 most sought for among 

 the cock fighters o f 

 India, a short account of 

 the manner in which that 

 sport is pursued in Ilin- 

 dostan and the island of 

 Polynesia, may not be 

 uninteresting, or out of 

 place. It is from Ellis ' Polynesian Researches. 



" Cocks of the same color are never matched, but a gray against a 

 pile, a yellow against a red, or the like. This might have been origi- 

 nally designed to prevent disputes, or knavish impositions. The Malay 

 breed of cocks is much esteemed by connoisseurs who have had an 

 opportunity of trying them. Great pains is taken in the rearing and 

 feeding ; they are frequently handled, and accustomed to spar in 

 nublic, in order to prevent any shyness. Contrary to our laws, tho 

 owner is allowed to take up and handle his cock during the battle; 

 to clear his eye of a feather, or his mouth of blood. When a cock is 

 tilled, or runs, the other must have sufficient spirit and vigor left to 

 j[*eck at him three times, on his being held to him for that purpose, or 

 it becomes a drawn battle; and sometimes an experienced cocker will 

 place the head of his vanquished bird in such an uncouth posture, as 

 to terrify the other, and render him unable to give this proof of vic- 

 tory. The cocks are never trimmed, but matched in full feather 

 The artificial spur used in Sumatra, resembles in shape the blade of a 

 ecimetar, and proves a more destructive weapon than the Europear 

 epur. It has no socket, but is tied to the leg, and in the position of 

 it the nicety of the match is regulated As, in horse-racing, weight * 



SONNERAT S JUNGLE FOWL. 



