NOTICES OF PERU. 



279 



It is said that public cock-fighting owes its origin to the ex- 

 pedition of Themistocles against the Persians. On that occa- 

 sion, he exhorted his army to fight for their countiy with the 

 valor and indomitable spirit displayed by two contending cocks. 

 To commemorate the victory of their great captain, the Athe- 

 nians devoted one day every year to exhibit the battles of these 

 birds. The custom passed to Rome, and on the days of exhi- 

 bition, criers went through the streets shouting Pulli pugnant. 



On Sundays and holy-days, in Lima, though not announced 

 by a town crier, it is generally known ihdX pulli pugnant, and 

 a large part of the population attends without a summons. The 

 hour of exhibition is four o'clock, but before that time, the 

 seats are usually crowded by people of all kinds, for all classes 

 delight in this sport. The judge, who is an alcalde, takes his 

 place in his box, the guards at the doors are all attention, the 



servid&r," with a row of gafts before him, takes his seat be- 

 neath the judge, and the " corred6res," or criers of bets, enter 

 the arena. For a moment, conversation ceases. Two fowls are 

 brought in, from the opposite doors, and, after holding them 

 up to the spectators, their heads are ceremoniously, but rudely, 

 rubbed together. The silence is broken. One ^'corredor'^ 

 cries, ^ Quien va en el pardo ?" — who goes on the gray ? An- 

 other shouts, I Cuanto en el Colorado?" — how much on the 

 red ? Then such a Babel-like hum breaks out in the pit and 

 boxes, that it is difficult to understand any thing that is said. 

 The corred&res shout still louder. The ladies in the boxes make 

 signs with their fingers ; and the gentlemen call aloud to differ- 

 ent people at the same time. A corred&r understands a lady ; 

 " Si Senorita ! and looking in another direction, and striking 

 his uplifted left arm, with two fingers of his right hand, cries 

 again and again in a rapid voice, "Media onza en el pardo — 

 I quien quiere media onza en el pardo?" — A half doubloon on 

 the gray — who wishes a half doubloon on the gray ? 



Another lady makes a sign. "Bueno" — understood, cries a 

 corred&r. At the same moment another is crying "two doub- 

 loons on the red 5 who bets two doubloons on the red ?" In the 

 meantime the attendants are securing to the birds the gafts, or 



