THE POTJLTBY BOOK. 145 
rules for training for tlie cock-pit cannot be written, as so much depends on tlio 
judgment of the feeders, { some of whom prefer shutting up the birds without food 
for some time, until they are hungry, then giving a mild dose of physic, such 
as a spoonful of coarse sugar, to reduce their weight, which others do by sparring 
Vvuth the spurs guarded by muffs. The birds ought not to be kept up more than a 
Aveek or eight days ; during this time they should be fed as early as five o’clock in 
the morning, again slightly at mid-day, and lastly at hve in the evening. Most 
feeders employ bread made of wheaten meal and eggs ; others of the old school 
prefer the best old barley, and hard-boiled egg chopped fine. During the feeding 
the pens must be kept scrupulously clean, the head of the bird sponged every 
morning Avith tepid Avater AAotli a little Avhite vinegar in it, and the feet daily 
cleaned with soap and hot water. The exact time to bring a bird to his highest 
condition and his best fighting Aveight are points that require long experience to 
determine, and cannot be imparted by any other means. 
o 
