40 MARVELS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD 



rounded contour to those members, the hackle 

 and faddle feathers being shortened, and the curly 

 tail feathers snipped off, as well as a large portion 

 of the vane or fan. 



Quails were used also for fighting purposes, both 

 by the Romans and the Chinese. The method of 

 procedure during these combats was to mark a 

 circle upon the ground, within the boundaries of 

 which two birds were placed. When one of the 

 combatants had succeeded in driving its antagonist 

 outside the ring, it was proclaimed the victor, and 

 the owner of the vanquished bird would then hand 

 over his stakes, either in the form of money or, 

 possibly, the quail itself, to the proud possessor of 

 the winning bird. 



In former days the natives of Bengal used to 

 train shrikes to fight with one another. The birds 

 were secured around the body by a string or ' brace,' 

 the free end of which was held by the owners. 

 After being placed upon the ground facing each 

 other, each feathered prize-fighter would then com- 

 mence to attack its antagonist with great fury, 

 pecking and tearing with bill and talons, and con- 

 tinuing the fray until one of them fell mortally 

 wounded. We are even told that in certain parts 

 of India it was the custom to teach and employ 

 these birds to pounce upon and carry off the metal 

 ornaments from the head-dresses of the wealthy 

 ladies as they promenaded through the streets. 



Another custom which was greatly in vogue in 

 days gone by was that of baiting bears with dogs. 

 It was a favourite sport in London during the twelfth 



