136 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
offspring ; and numerous instances are on record where rats and other vermin have 
thus fallen before them. 
Their remarkable prowess in defending their young is strongly set forth in the 
following most interesting account with which we have been favoured by Mr. 
Hewitt: — “ Not a doubt presents itself to my own mind, that, viewed exclusively 
for their actual merits, unencumbered by the caprice of poultry fashion or individual 
prejudice. Game fowls are undoubtedly the most strikingly beautiful of any among 
the very numerous varieties of domestic poultry. Among any of the truly bred 
fowls of this variety, the superiority of gait and general contour strikes the eye of 
parties even the most indifferent and uninterested : and from this cause I have 
almost universally noticed that the avenues appropriated to the Game at our poultry 
shows, are those most commonly thronged by visitors. This fully proves how much 
a good display in these classes tends to the pecuniary success of such meetings. 
In situations where a free unlimited range can be tolerated, there is not a doubt 
that Game fowls will take care of themselves, and their progeny, more successfully 
than any other kind of poultry. Accidents of any kind where these advantages 
exist very rarely occur ; as of all poultry none are more vigilant in avoiding dangers, 
nor, again, so capable of repelling aggression ; and many are the instances that 
recall themselves to my memory of cases in which powerful adversaries have found 
a retreat suddenly forced upon them : or if persisting in their attacks, have at 
length been laid prostrate and powerless in the field despite of the superior strength 
that was relied on for ensuring a very different issue. I will simply refer to a 
couple of such incidents, where prowess alone carried the day, and also where the 
odds were vastly in favour of the assailant. 
‘‘In a very rural part of Derbyshire, some ten or eleven years back, a Black- 
breasted Red Game cock (only a small bird, in weight about four pounds two or 
three ounces) was ‘ walked ’ with three or four good hens, one of which had some 
chickens running with her, about a fortnight old. These latter were enjoying 
themselves in rather an exposed situation to the windward of some heather. A 
kite (or, as there called, ‘ a gled ’) that was on wing outlooking for the first prey 
that might offer, espied them ; and without the slightest warning, dashed violently 
at one of the chicks that had strayed farther from its protector. The hen, however, 
instantly espied the coming danger, and flew, regardless altogether of self-preser- 
vation, to the rescue. This first effort of the dauntless mother certainly saved the 
chicken, and drew the attention of the kite more especially to herself. At this 
instant the cock, that was some twenty yards off, attracted by the outcries of his 
mate, went valiantly to the encounter, and on first meeting his unusual foe was 
unfortunately clutched by the wing with one or both feet of the kite, nor could the 
quickly-repeated efforts of the cock disengage itself. Although labouring under so 
material a disadvantage, he still fought on, and, as the result proved, successfully. 
It was in truth an up and down fight, sometimes the cock, at others the kite, 
appearing to have the advantage ; feathers flew around the combatants, and an eye- 
witness ran rapidly to the spot, in the hope to prevent the escape of the intruder. 
