DOMESTIC COCK. 207 



is variety is much valued by some on account 

 of the great number of eggs the female lays with- 

 out sitting: the male is very bold and pugna- 

 cious. 



The Dwarf Cock, which is the next, greatly 

 resembles the last described, but is much smaller 

 in size, and the legs are very short ; so much so, 

 that the wings drag on the ground : in plumage it 

 differs exceedingly, as in the rest : its body is 

 scarcely larger than that of a Pigeon. 



The last variety, or more properly a kind of 

 monstrosity, is the Darking Cock of Latham, 

 which has two toes behind, and is of a larger size 

 than usual, with nearly the same plumage as the 

 rest : it is very common in England, particularly 

 about Dorking in Surrey. 



Another slight variety may be enumerated, and 

 that is the Game Cock, which is more distinguished 

 for its courage than for any great peculiarity in 

 its plumage : this is still extensively used in this 

 country for the barbarous and disgraceful pastime 

 of cock-fighting, which has even received royal 

 sanction, as Henry VIII. actually caused a theatre 

 to be built for the express purpose, he being so 

 passionately fond of the sport, as was also James I. 

 — Edward III. and Oliver Cromwell, however, were 

 not such advocates for it, for they absolutely pro- 

 hibited it. Great pains are taken by many , in 

 rearing the animals of this breed, as frequently 

 considerable sums are betted on favourite birds. 

 From the time of the Grecians this diversion 

 appears to have been practised, but nowhere 



