Indian Game Fowls . 
305 
INDIAN GAME. — The Game fowls known in India have been already alluded to as very 
generally resembling somewhat the Malay type ; but it is not meant to be asserted that they are 
really identical with the Malay. The best breeds possess the true “ Game ” courage, in which the 
Malay is always deficient, and have moreover a “ style ” about them which no Malay ever had. The 
question of their origin is beset with difficulties which forbid, as we have before said, any attempt 
to discuss it here; and we shall only add a few particulars as to the various kinds of Indian 
Game. 
The birds known by this name in Devon and Cornwall are undoubtedly bred from Indian 
importations, and, as we have stated in the last chapter, present the Malay type in some points 
very strongly, being chiefly wanting in the peculiar “ sharp ” shoulders so characteristic of that 
breed. They are, however, harder in flesh as well as in feather, and some of them are of un- 
doubted courage. They probably owe their origin to more or less of the variety next to be 
mentioned, grafted on the Malay stock. 
To Mr. Montressor’s importations and efforts we chiefly owe the introduction and recognition 
in England of the Aseel, the best type of the really “ Indian ” Game fowls. They have some 
apparently Malay points in a pea-comb (inclined to be rather knobby), a drooping tail, and rather 
prominent shoulders. These latter are, however, rounder than in the Malay, and there the 
resemblance ends, the bird being lower on the leg, of much greater symmetry all over, and of 
the most indomitable courage. These birds are most esteemed for fighting in Bengal, are of great 
endurance as well as pluck, and noted champions have sold in India for as much as 700 rupees 
{£60). We have never handled any fowls which weigh apparently so heavy, and whose muscle 
felt so amazingly hard, as we have found in good Aseels. 
There was a special Aseel Club formed at one time ; but in spite of this, we have noticed that 
the variety generally has less than a dozen possessors. The fact is that the breed is the most 
quarrelsome known, as well as most courageous. It is difficult to keep even two hens with one 
cock ; and as eggs are exceedingly rare likewise, there are obvious practical difficulties in breeding 
them. We have noticed, in fact, that Aseels are rather apt to be given away every now and then! 
Nevertheless, they have staunch admirers, and may be recommended to such as seek for a fowl 
which, at all events, never becomes common. 
In Malay proper, where we might expect to find the Malay type more strongly marked, 
the most esteemed kind of Game cock is, on the contrary, of a quite distinct character, differing 
alike from both the Aseels and English breeds of Game, and evidently partaking more of the 
character of the true jungle-fowls. They have more feather than the Aseel, but much of the same 
indefinable “style,” and somewhat resemble the birds known in the United States as “ Sumatra" 
Game fowls. By the kindness of a retired officer who was stationed some years in the Straits, 
we were furnished with a drawing of the finest breed of Malay Game cock (using the word Malay 
in this case to express locality, and not the breed now so-called), made with all the slavish 
fidelity of a native Chinese artist, and given us with several others, and many drawings illustrating 
the native spurs and other details, which he had made with the intention (subsequently abandoned) 
of publishing a work on Indian fowls and fighting. The following notes are also supplied by 
the same authority, and may be relied upon as the personal experience of one who has mingled 
actively in the scenes here briefly depicted. 
« The word ayam in Malay simply signifies a fowl ; jalak , pronounced ‘ jalla / and sometimes 
called ayam ejou , or green fowl, signifies the colour and style here shown. Malay fowls are found 
good in all colours, for they are nearly all Game , and no doubt spring largely from the jungle- 
