50 THE DOMESTIC! FOWL. 



walks ; and so is a white bread toast steeped in ale. 

 There should never be allowed more than three hens 

 to one game cook in his walk ; and care is to be taken 

 also as to his roosting-plaoe, that the perch be not too 

 small in the gripe, and be so placed that he may sit 

 upon it without straddling. Game cocks are brought 

 to the greatest state of their strength and activity in 

 about ten days, but they will scarcely remain twenty- 

 four hours in this condition ; nay, some have been 

 known to change for the worse in twelve hours." 



Many of the foregoing directions bear rather upon 

 the rearing of the game cock for the purpose of fight- 

 ing, than for ordinary utility ; but others are of general 

 import. 



It is not only for its pugnacious qualities that the 

 game fowl is to be notioed — it yields to no breed, nay, 

 perhaps is superior to most in the whiteness and sapid- 

 ity of its flesh ; the hens are excellent layers, and the 

 eggs, though of moderate size only, are remarkable 

 for the delicacy of their flavor, as has already been 

 stated. 



Of all the breeds, the game fowl is considered the 

 most beautiful, whether we look to contour or to color- 

 ing ; the cock carries himself proudly and yet grace- 

 fully, his port and bearing proclaim his fiery spirit, his 

 undaunted mettle, which endures even to his last 

 breath, for while prostrate and mortally wounded he 

 will answer the insulting crow of his victorious rival, 

 and make a last effort to revenge himself before the 

 spark of life is extinct. No wonder that the gallant 

 cook should have been chosen as the emblem of courage. 



Poultry fanoiers, who keep only a small number of 

 fowls, may manage to rear a young brood of this 

 variety by precautions which the farmer cannot put 

 into practice. The principal objection to them, in 

 these respects, is \heir impatience of confinement 

 to a yard or coop ; and from their lightness on the 

 wing, it is difficult to prevent them from flying out at 

 will. 



