28 COMMON SENSE 
wanted, and in many cases it was easy to see that from in-and-in 
breeding the strain had lost stamina. 
At first I felt a little discouraged, and thought my only course 
was to buy a setting of eggs of some vigorous strain of game birds, 
and raise a few roosters in this way. Of all the breeds in use the 
games have been bred upon the most correct principles, and, as a 
rule, these principles have been rigorously applied. ‘The result is 
that there are hundreds of flocks of game birds throughout the 
country that bear the same relation to the ordinary birds that 
thoroughbred racehorses bear to scrubs. ‘The breeders of game 
cocks know that second-class birds are of no use, and conse- 
quently those who wish to be successful are compelled to 
breed for health, strength, stamina and pluck. And these are the 
qualities that tell, whether it be in man, beast or bird. Now,.it is 
well known that there are certain external signs, such as hardness 
and glossiness of feathers, shave, carriage, etc., which enable the 
breeeder of game cocks to choose his breeding birds almost with 
certainty, while many of the points which the “fancier” estimates 
so highly he ignores altogether. I felt, therefore, that here at least 
was ground certain and substantial, and I almost came to the con- 
clusion to procure such eggs. Another motive in this direction - 
came from the fact that I knew by experience that of all fowls the 
game are the best, both as regards flesh and eggs. A young game 
cock cannot be equalled on the table—except, perhaps, by a game 
pullet; and the killing of a fine pullet has always appeared to me 
a crime which should be punished without benefit of clergy. 
The chief objection to the games is sail to be their propensity to 
fight. I have had oe game cock in a flock, and his descendants 
were splendid birds, and as he had nothing to fight with he was 
very peaceable. Now, as a single pen of say six hens would fur- 
nish all the eggs that I needed for hatching, there would be no 
necessity for keeping more than one cock, so this objection would 
be done away with. I tried to find a good cock that I might use 
at once, but without success, so I procured some eggs from a noted 
breeder and thus hoped to be ready for next year. 
Meantime I determined to get a good cock of some other 
