245 
Chapter XXIX. 
BRITISH GAME (OLD STYLE). 
The old-fashioned stamp of Game Fowl has, probably, the oldest record of all known distinct breeds of 
Domestic Poultry, cock-fighting being mentioned in the " Codes of Manu " (India), written i,ooo years before 
Christ. The ancient Greeks and Athenians fought cocks, and the Romans were also passionately devoted 
to the sport. The British race, during the reign of King Henry II., also patronised the diversion to a great 
extent, and this was continued, without intermission, till quite a comparatively recent date, and, in fact, at 
the present time is carried on much more than is generally supposed. 
At the same time there is little information beyond conjecture as to the origin of Game Fowls, and no 
historical data as to when they were first kept in a state of domestication. 
Mr. Herbert Atkinson (Eng.), in his valuable monograph ("The Old English Game Fowl," H p. g), 
states : — " As to the origin of the Game Cock, many writers have aired their pet theories. Nearly all, 
however, attribute his origin to four varieties of Jungle Fowls, viz., Galliis ferriigiiiens, Gallus sonnenitii, 
Gallus furcatiis, and the Ceylon Jungle Foivl. We are bound, however, to add that, although these wild 
varieties are game in the wild state, yet the crosses that have been tried in India with the Jungle Fowl have 
been failures in point of courage, and while it was the opinion of one of our ablest authorities on Game 
Fowls, and in which I entirely coincide, that the yellow-legged and yellow-fleshed varieties were introduced 
from India at a comparatively later date, and are descended from some of the wild Jungle Fowls still in 
existence there, the older white-legged and white-fleshed birds are not of that origin, but have been in 
England from the earliest times, and are probably descended from some species now extinct." Mr. Atkinson 
also quotes the opinion of Trevor Dickins, Esq., "that the original wild varieties of Game Fowls were: — 
I. Black-Breasted Reds with fawn Partridge hens. 2. Brown-Breasted Reds with Dark-Brown hens. 
3. Red-Breasted Ginger-Reds with yellow legs and light Partridge hens. 
" Whatever may be the doubts as to the origin of the Game Cock, it is certain that he has been bred for 
his work for many centuries. He is, perhaps, somewhat changed in appearance, and has been divided into 
many different breeds and strains by selecting birds that were distinguished by some peculiar mark or colour, 
and which struck the fancy of their breeders, but no one conversant with the subject can doubt the fact that 
the original ancestors must have been possessed of the true game courage and elegance of shape, knowing 
that it is impossible that any amount of selection should produce truly game fowls from ordinary blood." 
When bred for Pit purposes solely, the colour of legs, plumage, and shape were generally considered of 
little importance. Pedigree was the all-important point ; but, though there were many and various colours 
produced by the long-continued crossing and re-crossing, there were at the same time many strains bred 
almost perfect in shape and colour points. 
At that time there were certain structural developments bred for specially, such as a strong, stout head, 
with a powerful beak, well curved ; a strong-looking neck, well arched ; the shoulders well up, and broad 
between ; the back flat across, and inclining towards the tail ; the breast full, wide, and muscular ; wings, 
large and powerful ; thighs well apart, and very muscular ; strong at the knee-joints ; shanks, rather short 
and round ; good feet, and the toes well spread ; the back toes well extended, and in a line with the centre 
toes ; and spurs well set on, and rather low. A cock with duck feet, crooked breast, ivcak or deformed beak, 
was discarded as a fighter or as a stock bird. Breeders were equally as particular with the hens used for 
breeding, no structural malformation being tolerated in them ; and, though they would at times dispose of a 
