Indian Game Fowls. - 297 



In Malay proper, where we might expect to find the Malay type more strongly marked, 

 the most esteemed kind of Game cock is, on the contrary, of a quite distinct character, 

 differing alike from both the Indian and English breeds of Game, and evidently partaking 

 more of the character of the true jungle-fowls. By the kindness of a retired officer who was 

 stationed some years in the Straits, we are enabled to give a plate of the finest breed of Malay 

 Game cock (using the word Malay in this case to express locality, and not the breed now 

 so-called), from an original water-colour drawing, made with all the slavish fidelity of a native 

 Chinese artist, and given us with several others, and many drawings illustrating the native spurs 

 and other details, which he had made with the intention (subsequently abandoned) of publishing 

 a work on Indian fowls and fighting. We have not even attempted to alter the clumsy way 

 in which the artist has " set on " the legs, but copy the representation just as it is. The 

 following notes are also supplied by the same authority, and may be relied upon as the 

 personal experience of one who has mingled actively in the scenes here briefly depicted, though 

 long since ashamed of having ever been engaged in " Satan's service" (we give his own words), and 

 therefore desiring his name to be suppressed. 



" The word ayam in Malay simply signifies a fowl ; jalak, pronounced ' jalla; and sometimes 

 called ayam ejoii, or green fowl, signifies the colour and style here shown. Malay fowls are found 

 good in all colours, for they are nearly all Game, and no doubt spring largely from the jungle- 

 fowl, which abounds in the Malay peninsula, and also in Sumatra. The picture is the true colour, 

 with all the minute accuracy of a Chinese artist's brush— an exact likeness of a irne j'alla. But I 

 don't believe there is what you call a pure breed in India anywhere. The Bugis (pronounced 

 'Buggeese'), natives of Celebes, Borneo, Sumatra, and in fact all the Eastern Archipelago, fight 

 cocks, and they all have their favourite colours, but few breeders or breeds as such exist— it is the 

 colour, shape, &c., that gives the name. 



" Malays rarely if ever cut combs, and never the feathers. There is no comb peculiar ; they 

 are both tall and rose-shaped, though the best birds have generally high and single combs. [This 

 shows plainly its distinctness from the ' Malay ' breed.] 



" Some birds live for years and win many matches, for generally one escapes altogether. Malay 

 cock-fighting is really much less cruel than English ; a few minutes and the longest fight is over. 

 The spurs vary in outline, some being straight, some curved, and some waved ; but all have edges 

 as sharp as razors, and are in fact like blades of penknives fastened on. This makes the fighting so 

 quick. It takes yards and yards of soft cotton thread, wrapped round and round in all sorts of 

 ways, to keep the spur firm lu loco ; and this is the first art of a Malay. The golok (a straight 

 spur) is generally fastened under foot, close to the ground ; the crooked spur in the natural position. 

 They take a long time to heel the birds, and lots of people (friends) look at the position, and give 

 their advice. All this time the money is collected on the mats— piles of dollars on either side— for 

 they are very clannish, and if one side puts down a thousand dollars, the other must do so, or no 

 fight ; that is, unless a quarrel ensue, and they strike eack other. Many of the birds are care- 

 fully trained. I have seen a man throw down a bird and hold out one finger two or three yards 

 off, and the bird would fly at it and strike it ! The birds know their owners, and they handle 

 them most dexterously. 



"Very few English engaged in the pursuit— I did not know above half-a-dozen that ever did ; 



there was some danger of rows, and few liked to have to do with it, though nothing like so bad as 



an English cockpit. I once went into' the pit at Westminster, and was so disgusted with a main I 



never repeated my visit. I never saw a fight at Malacca • they fight there sometimes, but it is the 



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