45 



than the finest ateel. There is no maker of silver spurs in England 

 at the present time. All matches and mains of importance were 

 fought in silver, they being not quite so immediately destructive as 

 steel ; there was time for the birds to show their powers of endur- 

 ance and their gameness more fully. The shapes varied some- 

 what in their curves, &c., but the twisted heels, slashers (like a 

 two-edged sword), and three-edged spurs, as used abroad, were 

 not allowed under English rules ; some objecting to drop sockets. 



BLACK-EED OAME COCK. 



Gold Cvp Winner at tlie Cock Pit Royal, 1818. 



(From a print in the possession of Mr. Jno. Harris, Lislceard.) 



that is, the blade starting below the socket, thus throwing the spur 

 lower on the leg ; but the law in reality simply said, " in fair 

 reputed silver spurs." Eoul spurs were sometimes made, that is 

 of steel, but with a thick coating of silver covering them, except at 

 the point, which was only just thinly plated. 



The art of heeling a cock consisted in setting the spur on a line 



