Method op CocK-FiGiiTi^fc. 299 



pit is now entirely suppressed. We may add, as showing how openly recognised the pursuit 

 under discussion at one time was, that a regular treatise upon it formed part of all the older 

 editions of " Hoyle's Games." 



Previous to fighting, the cocks were always subjected to a regular course of training or 

 preparation, just as in the case of pugilists, or competitors in more innocent athletic sports ; the 

 object in this case, as in those, being to reduce the weight by eliminating all superfluous flesh, and 

 leave the bird in the height of mere muscular power, spirit, and endurance. Every " cock-feeder " 

 or trainer, almost, had his secret ; and some of these secrets were highly valued. Aperient 

 medicine was almost always given, followed by a spare diet of the most curious compounds ; and 

 the birds were regularly " sparred " or sweated, by having their spurs muffled, and being allowed 

 then to peck and fly at each other, care being of course taken that they inflicted no serious injury. 

 This treatment was carried on for a period varying from a week to a fortnight : but in some cases, 

 where the time was very short, the poor birds were " reduced " very fast by being swung vigorously 

 upon a clothes-line; their efforts to "hold on" causing them to perspire freely. Modern 

 " authorities " skilled in these matters, doubt much if such severe treatment did not often cause 

 more harm than good ; but into this question we have no motive for entering. 



Before fighting, the cock was " cut out of feather," as it was called ; that is, the hackles and 

 saddle-feathers were cut short, the sickles and tail-feathers were "docked" like the tail of a 

 race-horse, the wing and other feathers also trimmed. This was to prevent the opposing bird 

 having so much by which to take hold, as the Game cock fights ivith his spurs, and usually requires 

 a hold with the beak to strike a deadly blow. The natural spurs were sawn off to about half an 

 inch long, and over the stumps were affixed by hollow sockets artificial and more deadly weapons 

 of steel or silver. These varied in length from one and a quarter to about three inches. We must 

 in fairness concede that to describe metal spurs as cruelty is simply a mistake ; on the contrary, 

 they actually lessened — because they shortened — the sufferings of the combatants ; though there 

 is little doubt that individual blows are more sharply felt, since it is constantly found that cocks 

 which will fight unflinchingly in their natural condition "will not stand steel ; " and even some 

 which will fight well thus, flinch under a long battle in silver. Hence it is probable that to enhance 

 the " effect " of the courage of the birds was the original cause of their being thus armed with 

 metal weapons, which were gradually brought to perfection by ingenuity, observation, and long 

 practice, by which the most advantageous curves and other details were gradually discovered. 

 Besides silver spurs, spurs were also made of steel, plated with silver ; but neither of these gave 

 such wounds as the steel spurs. Some spur-makers became much celebrated for the excellence 

 and toughness of their productions, as well as the trueness of their curves, which last were obtained 

 by mathematical calculation. The force with which a Game cock strikes is fearful, and none 

 but the most exquisite temper of metal will stand the strain. 



Various kinds of " mains " were fought, into all the details of which we need not enter. The 

 ordinary or "short" main consisted of twenty-one pairs of cocks, which were fought for so much 

 per battle, and so much the odd battle, or main. Sometimes sixty-one pairs were fought, which 

 was called a long main. There was always an odd battle, to prevent the contingency of a " draw," 

 but sometimes this happened by the odd battle itself being drawn (as by both cocks being struck 

 dead at the same moment), and on one occasion, at Edinburgh, a " long " main was fought which 

 lasted twelve days, and was finally drawn. The severest test of all was considered to be the Welsh 

 main. In this sixteen cocks were first fought in pairs, then the eight winners were fought in four 

 pairs, next the four winners in two pairs, and finally the two winners fought for the main ; so that 

 the ultimate conqueror had to fight four consecutive battles. The " battle-royal " lias become 



