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fowl
game
The

Burnham
Pickering
George
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GAME FOWL
FOB THE PIT, OR THE SPIT.

By GEO. P. BURNHAM.

FULLY ILLUSTRATED.

MELROSE, MASS.
 THE AMERICAN
THOROUGH-BRED GAME HEN.
 •st ...

4 •
/

*. ' ' 1 1 I \
V. . i. *• .
 "EARL OF DERBY" GAME COCK; OR,
AMERICAN BLACK-BREASTED RED GAME.
 PART THREE.

THE

GAME FOWL;

FOR THE PIT, OR THE SPIT.

HOW TO MATE, FEED, BREED, HANDLE AND MATCH THEM;

WITH PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO
CURES FOE THEIR PECULIAR ILLS AND AILS.

By GEO. P. BURNHAM.
i
Authob of "New Poultry Book," Diseases of Domestic Poultby,'
"Secbets in Fowl Bbeeding," etc.

FULLY ILLU3TBATED.

PRICE FIFTY CENTS.

[copyrighted by the authob, 1876.]

PUBLISHED AT MELROSE, MASS.

1877
 TIH! N'KW YOHK

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77749B
ASfOU, LfA'r/X ANI1
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 PREFACE TO " THE GAME FOWL," &c.
The flattering reception everywhere given to Parts One and Two of this
series of hand-books for American poultry men, at the popular price of fifty
cents per volume, has been very gratifying to the author ; who now presents
Part Three, on the " Game Fowl, for the Pit, or the Spit," as a companion
treatise to "Diseases of Domestic Poultry," and "Secrets in Fowl Breeding,"
which two latter works have had and are now enjoying a very large sale.
The interest among the poultry fancy in breeding Game fowls is widely ex
tended, and perhaps there is no single variety of the domestic feathered race
that has so many ardent admirers, and to which (of one kind or another) so
many breeders now give their partial or exclusive attention, in this country.
Some years ago, Gen. Waddy Thompson, Minister of the United States, in his
agreeable work entitled " Recollections of Mexico," gave a very entertaining
account of what he saw there in this direction in Santa Anna's time, and of the
universal interest the people evinced in cultivating " the noble Game fowls of
that country."
In Great Britain, for hundreds of years this stock has been a grand favorite,
and in the United States — north, west, and south, immense numbers of these
brave and beautiful birds have been and now are cultivated, every year, for
both the pit and the spit.
The contents of the following pages, condensed, arranged and illustrated from
the latest modern authorities on this subject, are prepared by the author in this
concise form with a view to placing before those interested all the requisite in
formation now current as to the modes of breeding, rearing, feeding, mating,
handling and matching these gallant birds, in good health — and giving practical
hints towards curing their peculiar ailments, when they are out of condition,
from any cause.
The drawings given herein are from life, and represent some of the finest
specimens of this beautiful race in America — or perhaps in the world, to-day —
for several are taken from costly high-class imported fowls coining from stock
that have proved winners abroad, both in the pit and at the leading English
Poultry shows.
We are indebted to H. H. Stoddard, Esq., A. D. Warren, S. J. Bestor, and
other gentlemen, for some of these cuts — and also for valuable hints and sug
gestions by these and other Game breeders, set down in this present work;
which we have aimed, as a specialty in its way, to render both instructive and
entertaining to the large class of fanciers in the United States who cultivate only
this fine variety of the hardy, plucky, foremost representative of his species —
at once the autocrat and monarch of the world's domestic poultry-yard.
Melrose, Mass., 1877. Geo. P. Bubnham.

DAYTON PRO ENG 5 AG'4-O

 PAET THREE.

THE GAME FOWL.

WHERE "THOROUGHBREDS" COME FROM.

"View all their gay plumage — so brilliant and grand!
Aye, the Black-keds and Greys are the pride of the land.
They have keen sparkling eyes, to detect the wild hawk,
A neat, upright carriage, with bold active walk,
Feet broad and thin, with the wide-spreading toes,
A firm sturdy breast, as black as the sloe's ;
A red, taper face — with the head like a snake,
And arched, slender neck — to look * wide-awake.'
With long and stout wings, and perfect flat back,
All the close glo3sy pluming no feathers must lack;
The 'bar' on their wings 's like the color of steel,
On the strong bony shanks a neat fitting heel.
With closely laid feathers of velvety hue —
They are ' Tartars ' indeed, for the red, white, or blue ! "

We shall devote brief space to the origin or history of the

Game Fowl, since the limits prescribed in this series of hand
books will suffice for but a glance at these points — which have
5
6 THE GAME FOWL;

hitherto been largely written about in the modern poultry-

books of the day ; and, moreover, because no two authors agree
in their accounts, as to the ancestry whence this superb and
valiant domestic bird descends, or of what country he is pos
itively a native. It is pretty clear, however, that the Games
came originally from the East — and southern India undoubt
edly produced the " righting stock " which the fanciers and
cockers in Great Britain modernized ; from the descendants of
which, first and last, the majority of the best fowls of this class
now bred, (and which for scores of years have been popularly
known in the United States), have been cultivated, and repro
duced on this side of the water.
Mexico has sent north some superior Games, and other good
stock has found its way into our southern borders from Havana ;
in both of which countries cock-fighting has for centuries been
largely in vogue as a " pastime," among all classes, from the
Emperor, or President, and the titled nobility, down to the
native, the peasant, the negro — including among the votaries
of this exciting sport the clergy, the planter, the gentleman,
the merchant, the toilers — men, boys, children, and .slaves —
of all conditions and grades in society there.
Waddy Thompson writes that " in Mexico there is no sport
that produces the general excitement that the cock-fight does.
It is confined to no particular class of persons. Between the
generalissimo of the army and the rawest soldier — the President
of the Republic and the humblest citizen, the Archbishop of
the Church and the meekest member, there is no difference !
" In the public cock-pit, or amphitheatre, side by side stand
the priest and the peasant, the hunter and herdsman, the shop
man and soldier. In juxtaposition may be seen the old man,
the slender youth, and the truant boy — all intent upon watch
ing the busy work going on in the arena where the plucky
game-cocks are battling ; and in spite of the exciting scene
itself, there is no confusion, no noise, no profanity even among
the lowest of those assembled there."
The Romans were notably partial to this amusement. They
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 7

trained Game birds, and Quail also, for fighting purposes.

The Grecians are credited by good authority with having been
the originators of the cock-pit. In Athens, this amusement
was made a political, and at one period a religious institution —
for the publicly avowed purpose of " improving the valor and
courage of their youth."
Wherever, or whenever, this sport was first instituted is
immaterial, however. We get our birds largely nowadays from
England. And to the mother country American fanciers are
indebted for the example they so earnestly follow here, at the
present time, and English strains of Games, for the most part,
are now the birds that we breed in the United States, for both
the pit and the spit.
It is not known clearly when the pitched battle between
domesticated Game cocks was first inaugurated even in England.
In the reign of King Henry II, it is described as being then
the sport of the school boys on Shrove Tuesday, especially.
The theatre was used as the arena, and the tutors acted as direc
tors of the sport. It was afterwards for a time prohibited by law.
But James the First was so fond of cock-fighting that, ac
cording to Monsieur de la Bodenie, Ambassador for Henry
IVth to the King, that monarch amused himself thus, continu
ally, twice a week. Under Queen Bess, the sport became less
in vogue, and the learned Roger Ascham, then favored the
public with a studied treatise on this absorbing subject.
There was at that time pits in Drury-lane, Horse-ferry road,
and Gray's-Inn-lane, St. James's Park, and another in Jewin-
street ; but the practice was a second time prohibited, by an
act under the Protectorship. The Dublin pits are of a more
recent date, where the Meaths and Kildares often proved the
powers of their cocks. The fights were managed by men who
made a livelihood by it, called " handlers : " they alone were
admissable within the magic circle of the fighting arena.
" A cock-pit," writes an Englishman, " like a race-course, in
a sporting point of view, is for every person ; and selection of
company is entirely out of the question. The noble lord aa?
8 THE GAME FOWL ;

the needy commoner were both at home, after they had paid
their tip for admission, and persons who enter the pit to sport
a crown, bet a sovereign, or to put down their pounds, are too
much interested upon the main, to consider who they may
chance to rub against for the time being.
" Cock-fighting was kept up with great spirit at Newcastle.
At one of their late meetings, the cockers at the above place,
in point of extent, exceeded everything of the kind known in
Great Britain. Upwards of 200 cocks were fought, and the
fighting was generally good. A remarkable circumstance
occurred on the Saturday before fighting. A match was made
for 20 sovereigns, between Parker and Reed, feeders, and won
by the latter after a hard contest. Parker's cock, however,
came round so soon after, that his party made a second match,
to come off on the following Monday, for a like sum, which
was again won by Reed, after a severe battle — a circumstance,
perhaps, altogether unknown in the annals of cocking. It is
also calculated that at the termination of the races, which
finished with coeking, upwards of 1,000 cocks had met their
death. Newcastle, therefore, challenged the world for cock-
fighting. Cheltenham, Chester, Gloucester, Norwich, Lancas
ter, Preston, Stamford, &c, &c, were celebrated for their cocks.
The patrons were the Earl of Derby, Sir William Wynne,
Ralph Benson, Esq., &c, &c." Thus in Great Britain.
For the United States we shall furnish no such exact particu
lars — but, in a general way, we may state that few Americans
have any conception of the enormous quantities of Game fowls
that are bred here annually.
And very little is known, outside of the rings of fanciers who
make a specialty of this breed of domestic birds, of the vast
numbers that are raised, eaten, sold, and fought, every year, in
different parts of this country. The stock thus now bred from
among us, comes from England and Ireland, almost exclusively.
Prominent breeders of these fowls here in late years import
their stock-birds annually, or twice in each year. And large
prices are paid for individual selections, by Americans, to the
 FOE THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 9

skilled leading Game-breeders on the other side of the Atlantic.

Through this means the Game^tock in this country is kept
up to standard ; and there are scores of yards here where
" thorough-breds " may be found that are " dead game," to
the last — if we can judge of their probable quality from the
numerous advertisements we meet with every week in the
sporting, agricultural, and poultry publications.
Ia the next chapter we shall speak in detail of the different
varieties that are popular among us ; for all of which (among
the more prominent kinds of thorough-breds) we are indebted
for the original breeding stock to our cousins in the British do
minions ; although several fine strains which we shall refer to,
as we proceed, have become strictly Americanized, and enjoy
a goodly reputation in different sections of the United States,
such as the Spangled, the Heath wood, the White Georgian,
the Claiborne, the Baltimore Top-knot, the Counterfeit, the
Stonehenge, etc.

THE AMERICAN GAME COCK.

What is known as the American Game Fowl, as we breed it

here, will be the subject to which in this treatise the reader's
attention will be chiefly directed.
As we have already stated, the stock whose descendants are
now so extensively cultivated in every section of this country,
has been imported, mostly. Yet there are numerous skillful
breeders of this choice tribe in America, who for years have
produced from the progeny of these importations very superior
birds, noted for their beauty, prowess, and fine qualities.
The spirited colored plate forming the frontispiece to this
work, entitled the " Earl of Derby Game Cock, or American
Black-breasted Red Game" represents very closely the most
popular, best known, most highly esteemed, and most desirable
variety, of all the high-bred Games as yet produced in any
part of the worid.
10 THE GAME FOWL ;

This fowl was originated in England many years ago, and is

what will be recognized as the true Black-breasted-Red variety.
We hear a great deal said, and read much more, about " genuine
Derby Games." But the real history and status of that extra
ordinary fowl is but little understood among Americans at the
present day ; as we will here briefly endeavor to explain.
This breed was first known, (more than a hundred years
ago) as the Knowlsley stock—it having been originally intro
duced into high sporting circles in England from the estate
thus named, — the proprietor of which was the Earl of Derby.
In the hands of that nobleman's game-keepers, these fowls
were bred with the nicest care, for several decades, and it is
affirmed that for upwards of a century the stock was kept
" pure and unadulterated," (though bred in-and-in during that
long period) by the successors of the Earl.
A full description of this incomparable fowl, in detail, is best
obtained by reference to the English or American " Standard
of Excellence " of the present day. But the following is a
concise and accurate schedule of the points originally accredited
to the Derby Games.
They are of a good round shape, well put together ; have a
fine long head ; daw-eyes ; long and strong neck ; hackle well
feathered, touching the shoulders ; wings large and well quilled ;
back short ; belly round and coal black ; tail long and sickled,
being well tufted at the root—thick, short, and stiff; legs
rather long, with white feet and nails, the latter being free from
all coarseness. The required ' Daw-eye ' is that which resem
bles the gray eye of the jackdaw. Their distinctive features
are the white beak, feet, and claws, essential to every bird
claiming descent from this illustrious stock. The colors of the
" Derby " should be as follows :
Cock. — Face bright red ; breast and thighs coal black ;
hackle and saddle-feathers light orange red ; back intense
brown red, a depth of color that painters would term dragon's-
blood ; lesser wing-coverts marked at the extremity steel-blue,
forming a bar across the wings ; primary wing feathers bay ;
 FOR THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 11

tail iridescent black. A peculiarity in these fowls is that one

at least of the pinion feathers is marked with white. The sex
of the chickens can be distinguished when only a few weeks
old. Beaks, legs, and feet white. Through the whole catalogue
of Game fowls the male birds are by far the most conspicuous
in plumage ; and wherever mere color has given the name to a
class, the markings of the cock explain the reason. The Black-
breasted Red hens, for instance, possess little of their consort's
brilliancy of feather, though these are of much lighter colors
than the Red-breasted hen — a fact in strange opposition to the
plumage of the respective male birds.
The Derby Hen, as selected from the Knowlsley Park stock,
was thus described, at the same period when the above was
written : — Head fine and tapering ; face, wattles, and comb
bright red ; extremities of upper mandible and the greater
portion of the lower one white, but dusky at Itjs base and around
its nostril ; chesnut-brown around the eye, continued beneath
the throat ; shaft of neck-hackle light buff ; web pale brown,
edged with black ; breast shaded with roan and fawn-color ;
belly and vent of an ash tint ; back and wing-coverts partridge-
colored ; primary wing-feathers and tail black, the latter car
ried vertically and widely expanded ; legs, feet, and nails
perfectly white.
It will thus be observed that although the general colors and
markings here given compare very nearly to those of the best
bred and duly accredited specimens of the " Derby " (or Black-
breasted Red) Game of to-day, yet the distinctive features of
white beak, feet, and claws, essential to every bird (in England)
claiming descent from this stock, do not appear either desirable
or common among the race, as we now receive them from abroad,
or breed them in this country ; nor does the American Stand
ard of Excellence note these particulars as requisite qualifica
tions of purity, in the Black-breasted Red Games ; which are
constantly being claimed by certain breeders to be the Derby's,
when the latter fowls are demanded by uninformed purchasers.
For these reasons, we maintain that few or none of the real
12 THE GAME FOWL ;

Earl of Derby stock now probably exists — and that the Black-
breasted Red Games are the nearest thing to the genuine Derby
fowl, now extant.
At all events, we have examined hundreds of the best im
ported specimens, in the past thirty years, and have met with
thousands of American-bred Games, (many of which are called
" Derby ") but it is a very rare thing to find the " white beak
or claws" upon them. And birds bearing these " essentials,"
nowadays, would at once be suspected as mongrels, among the
bulk of game-cock breeding gentry of this country, we opine.
Thus — though we may have no absolutely genuine " Derby "
Games here — we have many thousands of the Black-breasted
Reds, in American runs, that are first-class in all the requisites
and characteristics that go to make up the best of this ever
popular and superb class. And these may be set down par
excellence as the leading variety, for points of symmetry,
beauty, value, merit, and usefulness, in the universal esteem
alike of American cockers and poultry fanciers. This deserved
preference has been conceded among us, so long, that the true
Black-and-Red has come to be established, almost without chal
lenge, as the choicest of American-bred Games, for all purposes.
The bay eyes, the willow legs, and the dusky horn-colored
beak, however, are accorded the preference, to any of these
being white, or whitish, in color. These hues are by far the
most acceptable in these features to our people, (as well as
being most generally bred) as indicative of purity in the blood.
And though the white is admissible (in the American show-
pen) it is really deemed objectionable by most judges ; since if
it appears at all, it occurs but exceptionally, in the progeny of
the best stock.
The Brown-Red Game Cock is not unlike the first variety
just described, except that his general plumage is not so clearly
definable. Among these birds come many splendid specimens,
that prove themselves " dead game," in the pit. And this breed
(which is a near cross of the Black-Red, unquestionably) has
great numbers of admirers in this country, as well as in England.
 FOR THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 13

But there is no class of standard Games that shows so many

different shades of brown and red, as do these. Some are
streaky breasted, some marbled, some ginger colored, in front.
And this variation is caused by breeders who raise the cocks
for the pit, only, and who are indifferent as to the exact cast of
the plumage, so long as the birds they produce prove first-class
in their fighting qualifications.
They are bred in England by mating the Black-Red cock to
Pile, Dun, or Brown hens, indiscriminately—and therefore they
breed " to feather," when and after we get them here, altogether
indifferently. Still, the class of Brown-Reds (which is an off
shoot of Black-Red) is well known, and thousands are reared
in the United States, annually ; many of which have " made a
good record " in the annals of the pit.
The Duck-wing Game comes next, among the prominent
choice varieties. The cocks of this breed vary in shades of
color, again, but the general marking of the plumage among
them is quite similar in form. The two varieties are respectively
known as the Yellow and the Silver (or White) " Duck-wings "—
the latter being the preferable sort, if perfectly clean bred.
The Silver Duck-wing cock's hackle should be nearly white,
slightly tinged with pale yellow, without any darker streaks.
Saddle feathers as near as possible in color to the hackles.
Back a maroon straw. Shoulder-coverts a rich brassy maroon.
Breast and tail clear metallic black. The hens to mate these
cocks, should have necks of a clean silver hue, striped with
black. Back and shoulder coverts of a white greyish shafted
feather. Breast of golden ochre, or rich salmon, in color.
The well bred Duck-wing Cock is among the most attractive
ly graceful and gamey looking fowls in American poultry runs.
And he is highly esteemed for his undaunted courage, thorough
stamina, and ability to endure severe punishment in the pit —
as he should be ; for he too comes from a noble sire indeed, a
descendant of the original Derby stock. (See Lincoln's fowls.)
In addition to the four varieties now mentioned, other sub-
varieties are numerous — many good crosses having been made
 14 THE GAME FOWL;

from time to time both in England and America, between these,

or with the males of these upon lighter or darker-colored Game
hens, of one cast of plumage or another — to produce novelties.
Through which means we have the Duns, the Greys, the Whites,
the Blues, the Tartars', the Gingers, the Shawl-necks, the
Blacks, the Piles, the Birchens, the Spangles, the Heathwoods,
the Brass-backs, the Mealys, and others of lesser note — in
different English and Irish provinces, or American States.
And while each of these has its admirers, and among almost
all of which good pit-birds are produced, through skillful mani
pulation, we must go back to the product of the original
ancestry for the Simon-pure and best of all, (the noble Black-
breasted Reds), for the so far unexcelled and unexceptionable
Game Cock — whether we seek for or breed him for his high
standard fighting qualities, his exquisite beauty of plumage,
his power to transmit to the progeny his rare characteristics,
or for the delicate and toothsome table-meat his chickens furnish
us, when slaughtered for household purposes. N
So — be the variety whatever our fancy may make choice of,
as to name or color — the American Game Cock, to be first-
class, should show the following points ; whether we rear him
for the pit or the spit.
His head should be thin and long, like that of the greyhound ;
• his face brilliant red ; the beak massy at the root, and both
curved and strong ; eyes large and sparkling ; neck long and
full ; breast broad and well developed ; back short and flat
between the shoulders ; body tapering toward the tail ; wings
inclined to expand and cover the thighs, somewhat after the
Bantam ; thighs short and muscular ; shank or beam of the leg
powerful, and long in proportion to the thigh ; spur set low on
the shank ; legs well forward, with a clean foot and strong
claws. When placed on his breast on the palm of the hand he
should be evenly balanced. In prime condition he should ex
hibit closeness and hardness of feather, while his carriage is
- erect, evincing both fearlessness and self-confidence.
The hen, though less in size, retains in body the general
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 15

outlines of the cock ; exhibiting the clean finely formed head

and neck, keen eye, upright small comb, the neat trim close-
feathered figure, the muscular formation of shank and thigh,
and the general elasticity of limb and movements that charac
terise her wiry, active, gallant, well built consort.
Such is the American Game Fowl, as this splendid variety is
now cultivated in this country by thousands, every year. And
whether the stock in hand be of one or other distinctly named
sort — if the strain possesses the above mentioned characteris
tics — apparent to the experienced eye, always — and transmits
to the progeny bred these indispensable qualities for " right
good 'uns," the breed may be conceded to be amongst the best
of this popular race of domestic poultry.
But the four sorts we have more fully described in this chap
ter, to wit, the Black-breasted Reds, the Brown Reds, the
Yellow, and the Silver Duck-wings, are those that take general
precedence over all other varieties known. We give fine illus
trations in our pages of these birds, as bred by different parties
in the United States — and, in the following chapter, we shall de
scribe some less known but superior strains of American Games.

POPULAR STRAINS OF GAMES.

In addition to those previously noted, we have several varie

ties of Games duly registered in the American Standard —
which are bred by fanciers in different parts of this country, to
a greater or less extent, that are favorites with those who cul
tivate them judiciously ; and which are disseminated over the
United States in no meannumbers, to the satisfaction of willing
purchasers.
It is not our purpose to make this little volume an advertising
medium for any especial variety, or for any particular individ
uals who breed the different kinds of Games. At the same

s
16 THE GAME FOWL ;

time, we give several choicely executed illustrations of certain

breeders' stock, who have furnished us with these fine picture
representations of their fowls; and we feel constrained in
courtesy to the enterprising owners to mention the names of
some of the originators, or the prominent breeders of certain
recognised good varieties, (thus delineated in these pages), by
way of affording information to the general reader of this work.
On next page we have a splendid drawing of a trio of the
" Black-breasted Red Games," executed by Ludlow of England
in artistic style, from high-class fowls injported by A. D. War
ren of Worcester, Mass., who breeds this variety as nearly up
to standard requirements of perfection as does any man in
America, probably; if we can judge anything from the fact
that his own product from the imported strains of Beldon and
Douglas, Eng., stock have borne away the palm over all others,
at the leading American poultry exhibitions in late years, and
that hundreds of Mr. Warren's birds, sold in every direction,—
have proved themselves in the pit most worthy sons of their
reputed noble sires.
Upon page 38 we give an accurate representation of the
" White Georgian Games " — an exquisitely plumed pure white
fowl, whose form and beauty will commend this variety to the
taste of many fanciers. This fowl was originally introduced
among us at the north by S. J. Bestor, Esq., of Hartford,
Conn., who has made a specialty of the beautiful Spangled
Games for many years. The White Games are bred from val
uable stock procured in Georgia ; which name he gave to this
variety, and which has in the past few years made itself a
prouder name in many a well fought battle in the West and
South-west, where it is held in high estimation by those who
cultivate, or pit it. These birds are nicely bred by C. S. Lincoln.
The drawing of Dominique Games, farther on in these pages,
by B. N. Pierce, is sent us by C. J. Ward, .Esq., of the Chicago
Poultry Journal. This is a very nice delineation of what is
claimed by many Southern breeders as one of the stanchest of
all the Games, and one that has evinced rare courage and power
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 17

of endurance, for a large bird. There are several sub-varieties

of these — well known in the southern states — called the Gee,
the Delaware, the Pittsburgh Dominique, etc. Specimens of
the best strains of which are said rarely to leave the pit alive,
unless victorious.
18 THE GAME FOWL ;

The Brown-Reds are facing page 17. These are closely-

allied to the Black-breasted Reds, both of which we have fully
described ; and both are cultivated by numerous leading fanciers
in different sections of the country ; as may be learned through
the advertisements in the poultry journals, of those who specially
favor this superior fighting-stock so largely, and so successfully.
These two breeds have few peers, in our estimation, and certainly
they have never yet been excelled, as true games, by any variety
— although experienced cockers criticise some of the "im
ported " birds of this class, very freely — and assert that they
do not always sustain their lauded repute, when pitted against
some of our established well-bred Yankee games.
Below we have the large and well esteemed fowl favored by
many Americans, known as the " Counterfeit," the

IKISH OBEY, OR IRISH SHAWL GAME COCK.

 FOE THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 19

The merits and points of the Duckwings we have also men

tioned. The cock represented on page 25 is a portrait of one
of this variety, as bred by Dr. C. S. Betts of Mt. Kisco, N. Y.,
an experienced and skillful breeder of several leading kinds of
Game fowls ; this and the Black-reds on page 17 being among
his chosen favorites, the engravings of which are sent us by
Dr. B. for this work.
On the following page we insert a portrait of the Yellow Duck-
wing — from an English drawing, by Brittan. This represents
a prize bird at recent British shows, and is well marked in
plumage, but too pigeon-breasted and " meaty " for what is
deemed among American cockers first-class fashion and mould
for a pit bird. His show-weight was rising 6£ pounds, and he
was not over fleshy. This is " too much of a good thing " for
the Yankee ring, at this period. The illustrations of C. S. Lin
coln's splendid Duckwings are in all respects superior.
The Ginger-reds are shown on next plate. These partake of
the Black-red or Brown-red blood, again — and are a much covet
ed fowl in certain quarters. Except that their color is uncertain,
they are a showy, handsome and altogether gamey bird. Indeed
they are sought after by many cockers who have been very
fortunate with them ; and more than one " old bruiser " we
wot of, when he enters for the New York or New Jersey mains,
turns out from his mysterious bag, upon call, these bright-eyed,
stalwart-limbed, rich plumed cocks, with great confidence, to
" take a hand " in the little game about to be played for the
championship in the magic circle. And very frequently these
cocks have proved winners, against strong odds.
The Heathwood Games are noted, too, in .many precincts.
These are bred by Thomas Heathwood himself, in Missouri,
and very choice ones are also produced by that veteran in this
business, Neil Thompson of Dracut, Mass., who, at our New
England shows has exhibited some of the best of this variety,
repeatedly. Mr. T. has devoted years of study to the perfect
ing of this race, for use in the pit.
The Claiborne Games, the Tartars, Seftons, Stonehenge, and
20 THE GAME FOWL ;

Slashers, are all notable fowls, and in certain sections have their
admirers, who breed them largely for the pit, only. The first
take their cognomen from a well known planter in the South
who bred and fought them for many years, formerly.
The Tartar was long considered a very high-class bird for its
gamey quality ; of good strong color, splendid station, full form,
heavy thighs and shanks, long toes, and unflinching courage in
the pit. They are full-sized, however—and are unequal for
matching, except among themselves, for weight. They are very

ENGLISH YELLOW DUCK-WING PRIZE COCK.

 FOR THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 21

well known amongst American cockers and fanciers, and have

always sustained their excellent repute, in the main.
The Henny Game is a rare variety, but it is bred very nicely
by some American fanciers — among these Dr. C. S. Betts, of
Mt. Kisco, N. Y. ; a finely executed cut of whose birds, of this
breed, we insert a few pages farther on, in this work.
Dr. Betts has imported his breeding stock from Spain and
from England at various times, and finds this variety the most
difficult to procure, in its purity. The peculiarity of the Henny
Game is that both cocks and hens are short-tailed ; that is, the
male is without sickle-plumes and closely resembles the hen,
except in size. They are said to be superior pit-fowls—active,
plucky, sharp fighters, and are latterly in good demand among
cockers who have proved them, south and west. Those bred
by Dr. B. are pure white ; and it is claimed for them that they
are excelled by no modern variety as an average strong deter
mined pit bird.
The Stanleys, the Bradleys, and the " Baltimore Top-Knots,"
are notable in Maryland. The latter (as the name indicates)
are locally recognized among Baltimore fanciers, and in that
region, particularly — where they are highly esteemed by cock
ers, who are always ready to put up their money upon their
favorites, against all comers.
Mr. W. Hunt, of North-East, Cecil Co., is a skillful breeder
of these varieties. Mr. H. ignores all stain of Malay, Sumatra,
or Indian Game blood in his runs. And having had an expe
rience of a score of years in breeding this kind of fowl, he can
guarantee that his strains are now as good, as true, and as
gamey, as any produced in the country.
The Irish Shawl Game, also commonly called "Slashers,"
from their active busy mode of contesting for the supremacy in
the arena, are another large breed, of the staunchest sort for
pit uses. They produce in breeding various colored piles, and
this variety has shown itself admirably reliable in battle. They
are very fast fighters, and possess good wind, with rare powers
22 THE GAME FOWL ;

of endurance ; proving winners very often against even heavier

weights, from their fierceness and rapid movements in a contest.
The " Stonefence " Game has its friends. This breed hails
from North Carolina, and hundreds of them come to the north
every year. They are variously colored, again, but are staunch
birds ; and in the ring have become noted as strong, steady
fighters, maintaining their southern reputation everywhere as
true game.
The Dusty Millers are good fighting stock. These originated
in Kentucky, but they are not so well known eastward as in
Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. They were grey in color at
first, but they throw reds, duns, and less of the greys in plumage,
of late years. They are considered a very superior bird for the
pit, however — wherever they are known.
We might allude to the names of many others, that have ac
quired nominal titles from or in certain localities where they
are cultivated ; but these are but crosses or off-shoots from the
several principal sorts we have now described in detail — among
which, though there come now and then very good individual
birds, we cannot further mention here.
From amongst these, and those we have previously described,
a, choice may be safely made to suit the most exacting or fas
tidious taste ; whether the buyer seeks Game Fowls for his own
fancy breeding, for the uses of the pit, or for the improvement
of his home-bred poultry for the table.
With the cut on the following page illustrating the pretty
Game Bantams, which are bred also by thousands all over the
country — we turn to matters of detail that interest a larger class
of gentry throughout the United States, in every direction,
among all grades of society — high and low, rich and poor — than
most of the community at large have any idea of ; as we possess
the means of stating very confidently.
It is the fact, however, that at this time there are in this
country a larger number of breeders of one or another sort of
the Game Fowl, than can be counted as cultivators of any single
variety known to the fraternity.
 FOB THE PIT, OE THE SPIT. 23

TO MATE, AND BREED GAMES.

Upon selecting the variety that may be fancied, the proper

mating of Game Fowls for color and points is an object. It is
naturally expected that good adult birds will reproduce their
like — upon general breeding principles. But this does not
always follow ; and with the Games, this result is quite as vari
able as with almost any live stock known.
24 THE GAME FOWL ;

If the very highest-classed breeding stock be obtained, from

the best known experienced English or American cultivators
who make this thing a specialty, and who understand their
business — the results will usually be satisfactory. But game
fowls should never be purchased at random, if the buyer aims
to possess right good 'uns, for any purpose.
We shall recommend no particular strains, in these pages,
and except to speak of the best varieties, in their turn, we can
only refer the reader to the advertisements of breeders. We
know what a good Game fowl is, and when we want one we
know where to go to obtain it. Others may learn about all this,
as we did, and most of us have our preferences.
But, having chosen your stock, see to it that the cock and
hens are properly mated as to color, for what you may wish to
reproduce, (if you intend to breed them). If the Cock be a
well marked and cleanly plumed " Black-red," a " Duck-wing,"
or " Brown-red," for examples, see that the hens are also true
in blood, hue and markings, to mate with him properly for the
combinations sought in the progeny.
The best Black-reds, Brown-reds, Silver and Yellow Duck-
wings, and the Ginger-reds that are now sold by prominent
breeders of these leading varieties, will as a rule give you chicks
quite true to the originals.
From among this product select the strongest, boldest, even-
est-plumed, and most active birds. For pullets, take those
nearest like the hen-mothers, and for cockerels choose those that
most resemble the sire — provided you succeed in obtaining
really good fowls in the beginning. Cull the younglings how
ever, fearlessly. Kill off the imperfect chicks for marketing, or
for your own table. Never raise a poor Game fowl, except to eat.
And this plan you will find a very satisfactory one in the long run.
In chapters two and three we have described how the differ
ent varieties should be generally feathered. Upon placing your
breeders together, a Game cock to six or eight hens will do
better than will more, where the object is to produce in the pro-
26 THE GAME FOWL ;

geny strictly first-class robust chicks — as a rule. A vigorous

two-year old male will serve a greater number of hens, however.
Young cocks, or stags, are not so serviceable for breeders, as
are the older birds, and two-year old hens will give you eggs from
which much better and stronger Game chicks will be hatched.
The young birds may please you in color, from your thus
selected stock, very generally — particularly if bred from parent
age on both sides of the same strain, or variety. But if you
cultivate them for the pit, especially, you may cull your young
flocks to great advantage ; since all you may hatch (at least
amongst the males) will not come up to the desired mark —
either in color or points — no matter whose stock you breed, of
what particular kind it is, or how carefully you may manage it.
Old cockers are not sticklers for absolute perfection in color,
or for what is popularly termed " fancy points " for show-birds,
for instance. If the young stags come up briskly from the
shell, and have no drawbacks — such as contracting roup, gapes,
or other chicken ailments, which seriously impair the usefulness
of Game stock, inevitably — the breeder may select the most
promising samples of his broods at an early age, and determine
pretty accurately, after a year or two of experience, about how
his chosen chicks will turn out, at a year to fifteen months old.
But the Game Fowl is peculiar in the above respect. Their
ills and ails are not so numerous as are those of other domestic
fowls, for the reason that thorough-bred stock of any descrip
tion naturally possesses far more stamina and vitality than do
grades or mongrels, of any kind. And thus, if they fall ill, they
bear the assaults of disease better and come out of their troubles,
with ordinary judicious treatment, more surely and more quickly
than do the mixed varieties, of inferior blood.
Yet a Game cock that has suffered from a serious attack of
either roup or chicken-pock, is not to be preferred as a breeder,
when others can be had ; however fortunately he may recupe
rate, after such assault. We would never advise propagating
Game birds from such a sire, if it can be avoided.
If you wish to breed a majority of cock-birds, at a given time,
 FOR THE PIT, OE THE SPIT. 27

put your sturdiest, boldest and most active male with your
smartest, busiest, most sprightly and belligerent hens. The
most abusive and cruelest game-cock we ever knew — a bird
which from his stag-days to his death (at six years old) was the
most unconscionable tyrant among his hens, we ever saw — was
the sire, year after year, of hundreds of chicks three-fourths of
which were cocks, annually — and they were good ones.
Per contra, if pullets are mostly desired, place in the runs the
most quiet and orderly two or three year old hens you own, and
mate them to a young cock that has never fought a battle, and
who amongst his wives comports himself peaceably and decently
— making himself agreeable, kind, and congenial to his quieter,
gentler, more motherly associates.
If you want Black-reds, breed them — both hens and cocks.
If you prefer the Duck-wing varieties, breed them — and by
themselves. Don't cross these two sorts, for any purpose. You
gain nothing by such a course, lose your time in the experiment,
taint your stock, and discolor the progeny beyond retrieving,
inevitably. And you cannot improve either sort, by this pro
cess, since both are good enough, (of their kind), when origi
nally bred properly, and strictly among themselves.
Experienced cockers are constantly experimenting with crosses
of both these splendid varieties ; and they cross either of these
upon the Greys, the Duns, the Mealeys, or the Gingers — for a
purpose. With many breeders, color is of no account. In re
producing fighting cocks, they are content with anything that
wears feathers, of any hue or stripe, provided the bird promises
to be " dead game." And for this alone, it is as well.
But if we desire to breed clean birds for color and character
istics, of any particular known kind, they must be bred strictly
of that sort and bred clean, to fill the bill to our taste.
28 THE GAME FOWL ;

HOW TO FEED AND RAISE GAME CHICKS.

No kind of domestic fowl on earth is so good a sitter, so kind

a mother, or so staunch a protector of her young, as is the
Game hen. If properly managed, there is no occasion for com
plaint about the Game hen's non-adherence to her nest, either —
as some authors and bungling experimenters contend.
Set your fowl at evening, invariably. Never attempt to hurry
her, in this operation. Young pullets, of all sorts, after laying
their first or second litters, are somewhat uncertain. These
ought not to be used as sitters. Choose rather a two-year-old
hen. They are the surest, the steadiest, and the most valuable,
for incubating purposes — every time.
When such a hen is ready for this motherly duty, she will let
you know it, unmistakably. She will cluck, significantly, brood
upon the stale nest-eggs, refuse the cock's attentions, and skulk
about with paling comb and ruffled feathers, seeking a chance
to squat over any stray eggs there may be around, of her own
or those of her associates.
Set her first for a couple of days on glass or wooden eggs.
Then (after dark, always) place her quietly upon a clean nest
of nine or eleven chosen eggs, and she will rarely desert her
box, until her chicks peep under her.
By " a clean nest," I mean what I say. See that what she
sits on and in is perfectly fresh. Provide new-laid eggs, clean
short-cut straw, with a thick newly-cut grass-sod at bottom (the
earthy roots turned upward), and have both box and hen per
fectly free from lice before she begins this work.
Sprinkle sulphur-dust or carbolic powder lightly through her
under-feathers and beneath the straw, the last thing before she
goes upon the eggs permanently, and scatter dry tobacco leaves
there also, if handy. Place food and clean water near by,
where she can have it when wanted.
Then leave her where she will not be disturbed by the cocks,
by night vermin, or by other hens. And in three weeks you
will have a brood of good chicks, if the eggs are all right.
 FOR THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 29

nineteen times out of twenty — if you let her alone, and don't
fuss with her.
The day the chicks appear, do not disturb the mother or the
brood. For twenty-four hours, they do better without food, or

ENGLISH BLACK-AND-BED COCK AND HEN.

handling. On the second day after hatching, remove hen and

chicks to a fresh box, and feed for a week on hard boiled eggs,
with bread-crumbs and broken wheat—the latter steeped in milk.
30 THE GAME FOWL J

Feed them thus four times a day, with only what they will
eat clean at each meal. Then give them rice and corn-meal,
boiled, with one-third potatoes, in a mash for two weeks. For
drink, let them have milk and water, at first, for a week or two.
If you have a grass run outside the coop, (in which the hen is
better confined for a month) it is best. If not, give them fine
chopped cabbage, bruised onions, turnip-tops, lettuce, or short
lawn grass mowings — for green feed.
Hatch in March or April when convenient. If they have a
fair range, they will gather insect-food sufficient, at the com
mencement, among the grass and herbage. If not, twice a week
after they are ten days old, give them finely chopped liver or
sheep's-harslets, to supply this need. When a month or six
weeks old, alternate the above grain regimen with barley, wheat-
screenings, and crushed corn ; and three times a week furnish
cooked chandler's scraps, for meat feed.
Close them up, at night, and do not permit young chicks ever
to run out in the wet or dewy grass in the early morning-.
Shelter them out of the reach of raw winds, and cold or stormy
weather, and always keep them free from their subtle foe, chick-
en-lice — and there is no good reason why any one by the simple
method here described, should not be able to raise good, healthy,
robust Game, or any other chickens.
In another chapter, we give our prescription for the destruc
tion of vermin. More young chicks are killed from assaults of
lice, upon their tender heads and little bodies, than through
any and all other causes, or nominal " diseases " known.
Therefore we here enjoin it upon those who expect to raise
their young stock in good thrift, that above all things else they
keep their birds exempt from this parasitical curse of the poultry-
house and fowl-runs. Drive the lice away. Keep them away.
And your younglings will grow and thrive, and be almost uni
formly strong, vigorous, and healthy during chickenhood.
From six weeks old, forward, let hen and chickens enjoy their
liberty. The spunky mother will half provide for and always
guard her little ones from the assaults of cats, rats, or other
 FOK THE PIT, OE THE SPIT. 31

fowls, for the Game hen is pre-eminently the safe protector of her
brood, against all comers, amongst the domestic feathered race.
At two years old, many of these hens when full-bred show a
spiteful little spur on the shanks ; and from this ugly weapon —
which the spirited mother well knows the use of — a rat, a mink,
a cat, a hawk, or even a small dog will beat a retreat, on being
assailed ; as we have often seen one or other of these pests
attacked successfully, by a right gamey hen running at large
with her brood around her.

DUBBING, TRIMMING, HANDLING AND HEELING.

The proper age when young cocks should be dubbed — that

is, the cutting away of their natural combs and wattles — is at
from four and a half to six months old ; or later, according to their
forwardness in maturing, and the healing up of the first cutting.
This process is a simple one, but it should be performed deftly
and neatly. Two persons can do this better than can one. Let
an assistant firmly hold the stag to be dubbed, and the operator
may commence to remove the gills or wattles, and the ear-lobes,
first. The comb should be grasped, and the head thus raised
up by one man, while the other seizes one wattle, and with an
even close cut with the dubbing scissors takes this off, strait
from under the jaw to the deaf ear. Then remove the ear-lobe
clean, on one side. Turning the head slightly, the other wattle
and lobe may be similarly taken off, both with a steady even
close cut ; and a month afterwards remove the comb.
This latter process may be executed best by the operator's
inserting his thumb or finger through the opened beak, and
holding the head by a middle finger placed at the back of the
skull. Then, setting the shears in a line flat with the crown, or
nearly so, with one sharp steady cut from the beak-top strait
backward, (holding the scissors close down upon the poll,) he
32 THE GAME FOWL
 FOB THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 33

will take the comb away in a single clean cut. Then clip off •
the two front points at each side, usually left close to the beak—
and the work is neatly accomplished, once for all.
The wounds will bleed but little, and the bird needs no extra
care afterwards, except to place him on both occasions for a few
days where his hens may not peck him, and thus get a taste of
the fresh blood ; which often teaches them the villainous habit
of picking at the neck-feathers of the cocks, afterwards. This
cutting will heal up nicely in two or three weeks, and no incon
venience occurs from the operation, if it be handily done. It
is by no means a cruel operation, as is sometimes supposed.
Toss the stag into the air, after this surgery, and he will crow
defiantly and cheerily upon touching the ground, if he is a
gamey youngster.
Some breeders cut the combs first, and after an interval of
four or five weeks, (when that is quite healed,) remove the
wattles and deaf ears. One plan is as good as the other, but
it is too much to perform both these cuttings at the same time.
Trimming the game cock for the pit, is performed much as
a barber cuts his customer's hair. This work is done in the
arena, or just before the cocks are pitted. Lay the bird in
your lap, holding his legs firmly between your knees, with his
beak towards you. Remove the ends of the hackles and neck-
feathers first, by gathering and pressing them up in a mass
over and around his head, closely. With your keen long-
bladed shears, cut around the whole bunch, close to the out
ward line of your grasp. Then take off two to three inches
of the ends of his main flight feathers and wing-coverts.
Clip the tail to fan-shape, closely, leaving the whole not over
four to four and a half inches upright in length from the upper
part of the rump. Then cut off half the length of the back or
saddle-hackles, together with such superfluous under-feather
ing, similarly, as may be there present. From beneath the
vent, forward, towards the breast between the thighs, the
feathers are trimmed quite close. The natural heel or spur is
removed, by sawing it off to within a quarter of an inch of
34 THE GAME FOWL ;

the shank, with a thin blade, to accommodate the sockets of

the gaff, subsequently. Should the spur bleed, apply a searing-
iron to it, or press a little powdered sulphur into the end of the
spur, which will close it shortly.
" Handling " is a term somewhat comprehensive in meaning,
and applies to the office of the manipulator of fighting birds,
both previously to their entrance in the pit, and during the
progress of the battle, or main.
The professional " handler " in England makes a business
of this undertaking, as a specialty. In this country, the party
officiating in this peculiar work, is as often " feeder " as well
as handler. And many persons who are breeders of high class
Games attend to this matter, personally — uniting all these du
ties in one man.
The handler in the pit should be clear-headed, cool in the
performance of his duties, free from the inclination to over ex
citement, firm, vigilant, watchful, and competent in his calling.
If he understands his business, he will not be over-reached by
an opponent, or tricked through the various devices resorted
to by rivals, during the contests in which he may frequently
be required to engage. He should be experienced, quick in
action and decision, always keeping his temper, ever on the
lookout for "sharp practice," avoiding all treachery, and
ready to combat this, calmly but sturdily. And thus he may
do himself credit, as well as most frequently win many a fight
through good fair management in the arena, where any and
every advantage will be taken by the other side, upon oppor
tunity. He should be familiar with the rules of the pit, first
of all ; and, so far as he can, he should act upon " honor,"
squarely up to the requirements of prescribed regulations.
It is a nice thing to properly "heel" a game-cock, or fit
the artificial steel gaff to his shank, preparatory to his being
pitted for battle.
The natural spur having previously been cut down to with
in a quarter or three-eighths of an inch in length, and healed,
have your assistant secure the cock, and hold him upon one
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT.

side, so that his leg will he horizontally level ; and fit your
gaff so that it will stand in a line with the center of the leg.
The lower down upon the shank the spur grows, naturally,
the better the fighting cock,—since this gives him an advan
tage over his average opponent that shows the spur higher up
on the leg. Dr. Cooper writes thus on this subject of heeling :
Securing the cock so that the inside of the leg is level, " take
the thumb and fore-finger, and work the back toe of the fowl ;
while doing this, you will see the leader of the leg rise and
fall, at the upper joint. Set the right gaff on a line with the

TKIMMED AND PITTED FOR BATTLE.

outside of the leader, at the upper joint of the leg, and the left
gaff on a line with the inside of the leader, at the upper joint.
Be careful not to set the gaff too far in, as it will cause the
cock to cut himself."
When cocks are put up finally, (previous to matching them
for the pit,) it is usual to saw off the outer portion of the nat
ural heel. The stump should be left of the proper length to
fill the hollow socket of the steel heels, or spurs. And when
36 THE GAME FOWL ;

these latter gaffs are placed upon the natural spur stumps,
they should he very nicely fitted to the steel sockets,' so that
they will remain firmly in position, without working about, and
at the same time not be so tightly fixed as to cause undue pres
sure at and around this part of the shank.
All experienced handlers have a plan of their own in this
matter of heeling, which is deemed by experts a very nice
thing to manage, to the best advantage. Every cocker thinks
his own method the most judicious. It is in general practice,
however, to wet soft paper, or moisten a bit of chamois skin
to wrap around the spur, and thus fit the socket of the gaff to
the natural heel. Then bind it securely around the shank with
waxen thread, and the work is done.

BROWN-RED COCK.—BRED DY DR. R. 8. TRASS, AIXEYTOX, MICH.

 FOR THE PIT OR THE SPIT. 37

The picture on opposite page, drawn from life, represents a

Brown-red cock, of Dr. R. S. Trask's breeding, out of what he
denominates the Tornado strain, a variety that has gained an
extended reputation in the West and Northwest, and which
have been thoroughly tested, at the point of the steel. They
are rapid fighters, quick and strong, and are said to have few
superiors, for the pit. The bird shown has won four battles,
the latest occurring in New York, in January last. " Fred "
is a good biller, a very hard hitter, and game to the death, ev
ery inch of him. " The last battle he fought," says the N. Y.
Clipper, " was between him and one of Watts' imported
Blue-red strains. The Tornado was a fine Brown-red, weight
6 lbs. ; the Blue a splendid-stationed bird, 6 lbs. 5 oz. The
Brown-red was an excellent good sparrer, and the Blue was an
equally good dodger. After a few passes, they buckled in and
made a rattling fight, the Brown-red being the quicker. The
Blue got badly crippled, and was killed by the ' Tornado '
cock in forty seconds."

FEEDING AND DRILLING FOR THE PIT.

When the Game cock is taken up from his walk to qualify

for contest in the pit, the feeder should satisfy himself that the
bird is in prime health and sound condition, before he wastes
time upon preparing him for duty within the ring.
He should be trimmed in tail and flight-feathers, and his na
tural spurs should be sawed down. For two days, feed lightly,
and then physic him with half a dozen grains of jalap and
cream of tartar, mixed in sugar pills with new butter or
unsalted lard.
After giving this physic, exercise him with a cock of his own
weight, both birds being " muffled " to prevent unnecessary
injuries. Keep him at sparring till he is well tired, and then
turn him into his coop. Wash his head and mouth thoroughly
with a weak solution of nitre or white vitrol and whiskey —
38 THE GAME FOWL ;
 FOB THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 39

half and half — especially cleansing the inside of the mouth,

should he have been pecked sharply during this exercise. This
will heal the flesh, and prevent the formation of canker.
Give him a full warm mash, directly — made of bread steeped
in ale and sugar ; and leave him for twenty-four hours by him
self. In winter, keep him warm. In summer, keep him cool,
after his sparring. This process will scour him, moderately,
and begin to reduce the superfluous flesh he brings with him
from his ordinary walk.
For a day or two subsequently, cleanse the bottom of his cage
and give him fresh straw on the floor. Wash the head, feet
and legs, daily. Keep him clean and tidy, and now supply him
with nourishing food, composed of a dough of wheat meal and
raw eggs — say one and a half eggs to a pound of flour, with a
table-spoonful of new yeast added ; and all well mixed, with
warm water. Cook this dough by baking. Add to the above
a little pure Cayenne pepper or other spice, and when cold
(after cooking) break it up, and feed half a pint of the mess at
morning and evening, for three days.
Then, for three days, change his diet to a gill of barley and
ale — steeped toast twice a day ; alternating with a morn
ing allowance of raw fine chopped sheeps' pluck, or other tender
uncooked meat. At the end of a week, give him only barley
and clean water, with the white of an egg boiled, each day.
On the eighth or ninth day, a light feeding of barley, a little
water, and a few hemp-seed. In ten days from leaving the
walk, he will thus be in his best trim for the pit. On the morn
ing he is to fight, his meal should be but slight, and a mixture
with the barley given, of a few fine cut bits of raw meat, will
be serviceable.
The sparring exercise should occur only every other day —
and always guarded with the muffles. These are constructed
of soft buckskin, filled with cotton or hair, (like a boxing-
glove), as large as an English walnut ; and are fastened upon
the natural spur of both cocks, to prevent hurts.
If you wish to test the probable gamey quality of your bird,
40 THE GAME FOWL ;

fit a cork upon the gaffs of his opponent, so that the points will
project a little, and prick him. You may thus determine how
he will " stand the steel", when he comes to the scratch in the
arena. The spur-points should not be left out so far from the
cork as to inflict severe wounds, be it observed.

HOW TO BREED GAMES " TO FEATHER."

Old cockers and experienced breeders have their hobbies.

Most of these fanciers and handlers of Games count very little
on the system of " breeding to feather," and care less for
color — when they come down to pit birds. They query first
" Is the cock dead game ? " " Will he stand steel to the last ? "
" Is he equal, weight for weight, to his proposed rival ? " " Has
he any turn-tail blood in his veins ? " of whatever hue, strain,
or name.
Mr. R. Huntington, of Bloomfield, N. Y., put this point
briefly but concisely, when he quoted in the " Spirit of the
Times" a few years since the ipse dixit of Messrs. Mitchell,
Reed, and other good fanciers of half a century ago, thus:
" I say you can't tell nothing about 'em, by seeing them in the
show-room. These birds are all very pretty to look at. But
there's only one way to tell if they're real game or not."
Hiram Woodruff, the noted horse-trainer, frequently had
brought to him a colt or filly with a " trotting pedigree " as long
as a turnpike — the fortunate owner of which would dilate in
glowing terms upon what he deemed the rare lineage of his
promising young favorite ; which he felt confident must be a
trotter, " because his dam was a good clean goer, and his sire
had shown a record away down in the twenties."
" You can't tell much about 'em, in that way," bluntly re
sponds Hiram. " Trotters come of all shapes and colors — but
you can't tell nothing about 'em, till you try 'em."
For the uses of the pit, this is undoubtedly very true regard
ing Game birds, though " blood will tell," nevertheless. And
 FOB THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 41

the chances are largely in favor of the good success of the fan
cier who procures known prime stock in the first place, from
which he breeds them skillfully, afterwards; say, from the
dominant five varieties we have mentioned — the Black-red, the
Duckwing, the Brown-red, the White and the Black.
All these, when bred strictly among themselves, without
crossing either one upon the other, will breed clean to feather,
satisfactorily. And from these five species and distinctive
colors come all other known varieties — variously called pile,
spangle, dominique, blue-red, ginger, dun, grays, birchens,
brass-backs, slashers, mealy, strychnines, clippers, etc., etc.
We find it quite impossible to insert in this little work a tithe
of the articles we have received from Game breeders, who have
kindly written out their opinions and experience on this inter
esting subject. Many of these communications are excellent,
but the limits of our book compel us to omit them, simply for
want of room.
In brief, Mr. S. J. Bestor of Hartford, suggests the following
hints — which are clear, expressive, and practical. And Mr.
B. has been a breeder of good Games for many years, as Amer
ican fanciers very well know. He advises that the amateur
obtains first-rate stock, at the outset ; and recommends that no
one who expects to raise prime birds of this breed, either for
the pit or the spit, should begin with cheap-johns.
He believes, as do most advanced Game breeders in this
country at present, that as poor fowls are imported from abroad
as are raised here ; and also that even better Games are now
bred in America than are those generally brought out of late
from England — since ours have the great advantage of being
acclimated — which is a point of no small consideration. No
matter where, or of whom you obtain them then ; get the best
you can find ; and never purchase cheap Game fowls to breed
from — is very good advice.
The best breeders of Games, adds Mr. B. are not the fiercest
to advertise their strains. And sensible people ought to know
that a man can be a gentleman and yet be a cultivator of this
42 THE GAME FOWL;

courageous gallant variety of domestic fowl. For what kind of

a thing would be a Quaker game cock, were it possible thus to
change the natural habit and character given to this valiant
race by the Great Creator ?
Cheap Game stock will prove a dear investment for breeding
purposes, remember. Obtain of Mr. A, for example, a prime
18 mos. to 2 years old cock ; and of Mr. B. get a pair or trio of
first-class hens — of the same age and specific variety ; say
" Black-reds " or " Yellow Duck-wings." See that the color
of plumage, eyes, bill, legs, feet, &c, and the general contour
are correct, in the different sexes. And breed these together
two or three seasons. Weed out the progeny, and turn over to
your cook all that do not closely resemble the sire and dams, of
either sex — reserving only the best of the stags or pullets for
future breeding.
Breed the finest pullets, at one to two years old, back to the
old cock ; never to the brothers or first cousins. But at two
years old, you may breed a young stag to the old hens, to very
good advantage. And so follow up these changes — the young
two-year-old cocks upon the first hens, or the one to two-year
old pullets to the original cock.
And in seven to ten years you will have a " strain " of your
own American Black-reds, or Duck-wings (from any given
original prime variety), that you can swear by, if your first
purchased stock is in every respect right, as it should be.
And the following brief rules are reliable towards accomplish
ing the reproduction of Games " to a feather."
1st. Introduce to the above yards of good Game fowls, no new stock.
2d. Have the means to fully carry out your plans of breeding.
3d. Sell few of your best birds, till you have them on hand in plenty.
4th. Breed from perfect fowls on both sides, always, as near as possible.
5th. Never try a battered beaten cock, or hen, for a breeder.
6th. Do all you undertake upon system, and with nice care.
7th. Adhere to your own chosen variety, till you thoroughly prove it.
8th. If accident destroy your old cock, get another like him, if you can.
9th. Don't match your chief sire ; he can't fight, and serve as a breeder.
10th. Be patient, observant and vigilant—and you may breed good Games.
 COCK-PIT.

The established rules governing proceedings in the Ameri

can Cock-Pit, vary somewhat in different localities, but not
essentially so. The regulations of the cock-fighting ring here,
are similar in general detail to those long years in vogue in
England ; with such additional provisions in this country at
the East, the West, or the South, as the fanciers and cockers
of those regions have from time to time found it feasible or
advantageous to introduce into their schedules.
In this work, we offer no apology for, or comments on, the
merits of cock-fighting, per se. With this we have nothing
to do in our present treatise. It is sufficient that this fact ex
ists ; that it has been a largely popular pastime for ages among
all " civilized nations," and indulged in by all grades of peo
ple, in all ranks of society, from king to beggar ; and that
down to this present year of grace, there has never been
evinced so universal an interest in the breeding and manipula
tion of these immensely favorite birds, a more intense desire
everywhere to learn the details regarding the best modes for
propogating and handling this valuable species, or in reading
of their prowess, their natural capacities, and about " how
the thing is done," when these gallant little birds are brought
together, beak to beak, in the magic circle. The good old Rev
erend Dr. Watts, wrote wisely and sensibly, when he penned
his famous hymn commencing—
"Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For 'tis their nature to;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For God hath made them so."
And this worthy disciple of his Master, might well have
added, on the same principle, in this connection,—
43
44 THE GAME FOWL;

Let game-stags quarrel, peck and bite,

For 'tis their nature to;
Let cocks delight to crow and fight,
For god hath made them so.
Thus, whatever may be our individual opinions regarding cock-
fighting in the abstract, the living fact cannot be argued away,
that it is the natural mission of the Game Fowl to fight ; and
we can not wisely assume that such a distinctive peculiarity in.
the composition of this gallant race of feathered belligerents
was not originally designed for some good purpose.
When Themistocles marched against the Persians who in
vaded Greece, writes J. Duncan Allen, he saw his troops fal
tering, and rallied them by recalling the well-known qualities
of the game-cocks. " These animals exhibit their courage for
the pleasure of victory," he said. " But you, soldiers, go to
fight for your gods, for the tombs of your fathers, for your
wives, your children, and your freedom ! " These sentences
restored the wavering ardor of the Greek troops. They went
into the battle, and beat the Persians, right, left and centre.
When General Jackson, who was notably a cock-fighter, led
his troops through Mississippi, to drive Packenham and the
English army out of New Orleans, he had his favorite birds
along with his command, in the head-quarters wagons. At
night he would order them out, call up the band, have a little
music and a set-to or two, and thus helped to keep up the cour
age of his men. When Col. Hinds afterwards entered the
Crescent city, at the head of his mud-splashed cavalry regi
ment, at a rushing gallop, the disaffected citizens there were
more afraid of Gen. Jackson than they were of the British ar
my ; and fell in with Jackson, Hinds, Coffee and Game Cocks.
Some thirty years ago, Mr. J. Joseph Nolan, of Dublin, (from
whom I imported the first " Cochin Chinas " introduced into
the United States,) wrote a full and entertaining descrip
tion of the internal management of the British cock-pit, during
a battle, which gives a very good idea of what annually trans
pires on this side of the water, at one of these lively contests
between Game fowls.
 FOR THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 45

At the present day there are three different styles of ' mains '
(or matches) recognized among the patrons of the cock-pit,
namely :—the " long," the " short," and the " Welsh " mains.
The first is subscribed to, usually, by two or more persons,
and is fought for several days, according to the number of
cocks used. These birds are selected generally of the lesser
weights—or of the minimum standard—say of three and a half
pounds up to four and half pounds, or thereabouts ; allowing
one or two ounces, more or less, on either side, as may be

FIGHTING A "MAIN.

agreed on. Cocks drawing over four pounds ten ounces, are
ruled out, and are not matched, in weights ; since a bird ex
ceeding this latter maximum is deemed a fair match for any
thing wearing spurs.
The second (short) main is fought with but a few cocks, and
occupies but a day or two, usually. The third (Welsh) main
is contended for with a made-up purse, or fixed sum of money.
The cocks taking part in this kind of main are limited in weights
to 4 1-4 pounds each. These fowls are pitted as may be agreed
46 THE GAME FOWL ;

on, and are fought till the last pair are set to. The winner of
this final match, carries away the purse. In any " main " of
cocks fought, the lightest weights are first made use of — and
so to the end, until the heaviest have gone under.
In fighting a main — that is, a series of battles between a
given number of cocks hailing from two different States, say
sixty, eighty, or one hundred birds on each side — the pro
gramme is set down in specific " articles of agreement," thus :—
General Articles of Agreement between A. B
of C, and D. E , of F, entered into and signed this tenth
day of February, 1877, to wit : —
" The parties hereto subscribing, agree, that each of them
shall produce, show and weigh, at New York, on the first day
of March, at the hour of eight o'clock, forty-five cocks not
under 3 lbs. 8 oz., nor above 4 lbs. 10 oz., and as many of each
party's cocks that come within one ounce of each other, shall
fight for (so much) a battle ; that is, (so much,) each cock, in
as equal divisions as the battles can be divided into six pits, or
days' play, at the cock-pit before mentioned ; and the party's
cocks that win the greatest number of battles, matched out of
the number before specified, shall be entitled to the sum of
-, odd battle money, and the sum to be staked in the
hands of Mr. John Smith, before any cocks are pitted, by both
parties. And we further agree to produce, show and weigh,
on the said weighing days, twenty-five cocks for bye bat
tles, subject to the same weight as the cocks in the main ;
these to be added to the number of cocks unmatched ; and as
many of them as come within one ounce of each other shall
fight for (so much) a battle ; the number of cocks so matched
to be as equally divided as may be, and added to each day's
play with the main cocks ; and it is also agreed that the bal
ance of the battle money shall be paid at the end of each day's
play. It is also further agreed, that the cocks shall fight with
steel spurs, with fair hackles, and to be subject to all the usual
rules of cock-fighting. And the profits arising from the spec
tators, or door money, to be equally divided between both
parties, after all charges are paid that usually occur on these
occasions. To all of which we hereto subscribe our signatures,
this tenth day of February, 1877.
(Signed) A. B , of C .
D. E , of F .
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 47

THE BEGINNING.

Upon the day and at the time appointed, the contestants

malce their appearance at the pit, with the cocks they select to
fight the main thus agreed on. A referee is chosen, the motley
crowd of sporting men who have the entree are duly on hand,
and the side-betting is heavy and continuous, during each battle
fought. The umpire and setters-to only occupy the inside of
the ring (with the contending birds), and a lively scene follows
from commencement to finale ; during which hundreds or
thousands of dollars change hands, in the ready wagering that
ensues — put up on the prowess of the numerous favorites
that fight this main.
Although the Derby and the Irish Games, and their direct
descendants, are by long odds the general favorites among
thoroughbreds of this species, and notwithstanding there are
some breeders who are sticklers for this precise cast of plumage,
the colors of the pit-fowl are not (in the estimation of old
cockers) absolutely a material consideration.
" I don't mind, if he be a red, a brown, a ginger, a duck-
wing, or a grey," remarks an old handler and pitter at my
elbow, " so that he will face the music every time, and come to
the scratch without flinchin', till he goes under through a luck
ier stroke, at last, from his antagonist. Color isn't much, tho'
it is talked of a vast deal."
" What we want for the pit," continues this enthusiastic
48 THE GAME FOWL ;

cocker, "is fightirC Game stock. The picturs we see every now
and ag'in of these " impo'ted " an' fierce lookin' so-called
' Darby ' Game-cocks, are all very well in their way. But I
have heard the counterparts o' these plucky lookin' fowls
squawk, and have seen 'em " turn tail," in the ring more'n
once, when a good four-poun'-ten ' Tartar,' a 4 Dusty Miller,' or
a ' Claiborne ' I've set-to ag'inst 'em got a right square double-
stroke wi' the steel into 'em, that hurt ! Game is game, all the
world over. You can't make a silk puss out of a sow's ear,
you know. And you can't make a fightin' Game cock out o'
many of the pictur'd birds we.see 'casionally in the books and
papers. I know what a Game-cock is. So do you, I s'pose.
But I wouldn't give the valoo of a farthin' rushlight for no
man's stock that hadn't been tested, thro' an' through. None
o' these painted outlandish birds for me. When I set a stag or
a cock at the scratch, on the mat, I want to know that he'll

THE ENDING.
 FOB THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 49

stay there, an' face the music, 's long as there's an eye in his
head, or one breath o' wind left in his body. ' Victory, or
death,' an' every time — is my motto, in this business."
Our experienced friend has his prejudices, evidently ! But
he has bred a great many hundred genuine "fighting Games,"
and he favors the American crosses of the best Irish Greys, the
Mealys, the Seftons, the Heathwoods, the Claibornes, &c.
But the pit-bird should be thin of feathers, short, and very
hard, which is proof of his being healthy. A cock, with all his
stoutness, length, and thickness of leg, rotundity of breast,
" fine forehand," firmness of neck, and extent of wing, ought
not to weigh more than 4 lb. 6 or 8 oz. ; if he happen to draw
an ounce or two more, he is out of the pale of the pit, and is
generally excluded by match-makers, from " fighting within
the articles," except on expressed agreement. A bird, to be a
bird fit for the white bag, the trimmed wing, the mat, and the
shining spur, must be light upon the leg, light fleshed, and
large boned ; but still no more than 4 lb. 8 or 10 oz. weight.
A cock-pit is a large, circular apartment, with seats around
the ring, as in an amphitheatre. In the middle of it is a round,
matted stage, of about 15 or 20 feet in diameter, rimmed with
a board edge twelve, to fifteen inches in height, to keep the
cocks from falling over in their combats. There is a chalk ring
in the centre of the carpeted or matted stage, of a yard diame
ter, and another chalk mark within it, much smaller, intended
for the setting-to, when the shattered birds are so enfeebled as
to have no power of making hostile advances. Here the
birds are weighed and matched, and then marked and num
bered ; the descriptions being carefully set down by the judges,
or umpires, so that the pitted birds shall be recognised, when
brought together for battle. The utmost care must be taken
that the matched fowls fight, and that no substitutes be intruded.
Sometimes in the pit, the first blow is fatal. At another time
the contest is long and doubtful, and the cocks show all the
obstinate courage, weariness, distress, and breathlessness which
mark the struggle of experienced pugilists. I have seen a fine
50 THE GAME FOWL,

bird killed outright at the first cut — and I have witnessed a

battle between two evenly matched gallant cocks that lasted
over twenty minutes, before the weakest was slaughtered.
During these exciting struggles, the cock's beak opens ; the
tongue palpitates ; the wing drags on the mat ; the body top
ples over upon the breast ; the eye grows dim ; and even a
perspiration breaks out upon the feathers of the back. When
the battle lasts long, and the cocks lay helpless near or upon
each other, one of the feeders counts ten, and the birds are
separated, and set-to at the chalk. If the beaten bird does not
fight while forty is then counted, and the other pecks or shows
signs of battle, the former is declared conquered. And except
when one or the other is killed, which frequently occurs, this
ends the battle between these two, and another matched pair
are brought in, to go through this routine " to death or victory."

DOMINIQUE GAME-COCK And HEn. See pagO 16.

 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 51

STEEL GAFFS FOR PIT USE.

Below we give drawings of steel spurs in popular pit use at the present time. The most
generally adopted style, however, is what is recognized as the
REGULATION SPUR,

a gaff with blade one inch and a quarter in length ; deemed by American cockers, almost
universally, the fairest and best average heel for all purposes, and for all weights. The
longer heels are tolerated (under prescribed agreement) upon the heavier class of fighting
cocks, by mutual assent. But most of the longer gaffs are found troublesome to manage,
and for quick, sharp strikers, they have proved too cumbrous, though frequently very ef
fective. The "Pit Rules" in most sections of the country, have of late years decided
against them, nevertheless ; and the use of these murderous, clumsy weapons, has been
generally abandoned.

THE SINGLETON SPUR

is very largely used in all parts of the country, and is made of " regulation " length, or
larger, as may be desired; though more Singleton's of the inch-and-a-quarter blade limi
tation are used, than of all others combined.
No heel is admitted into the Pit that is otherwise than of polished steel, round at the
back of the blade, and running in an even slightly curved line of shaft from shoulder or
socket, to point. The knife-backed, or bayonet-shaped blades are now entirely excluded
from use in the ring.
These spurs can be obtained of importers, in the regular trade ; but most of this sort are
indifferently valued, as compared with those manufacured by experienced makers on this
side of the Atlantic, who know what is needed for pit uses; and who make heels of sound
steel, not of maleable iron, or of pewter.

FULL DROP-SOCKET SPUR, —No. 3.

52 THE GAME FOWL ;

No. 3. — This is unwieldy, but it is used, occasionally, upon joint agreement between
parties who think* there is an advantage with this slashing pattern, where their fighting-
cocks are of the heavy class, and who stand wide apart on their pins.

CINCINNATI, OR WESTERN SPUR.

This pattern of heel has been extensively used in Ohio and through the West, of late
years. The socket is heavier and deeper than that of the Singleton. The shaft curves
outward from the bottom of the socket, and its make is such that it is admitted in use, (of
the proper length,) while it is considered by many cockers a very superior heel for birds
of average weight.

THE THIMBLE-SOCKET SPUR.

It is claimed by many experts that this form of heel possesses manifest advantages over
most other patterns in vogue. It is a larger spur than some others, and the socket being
of thimble-form, (closed and rounded upon the outer end,) gives it its name. It is
thought that this style of base affords the cock in fighting a better purchase, or a lift more
firm, in striking his blows.

HALF-DROP, OR FRONT SOCKET.

Neither this or the full drop socket spur, is much used now a-days. The "half-drop"
shaft or blade curves upward directly from the outer corner of the socket, and falls, sickle-
shaped thence to the long keen point. These are deemed unfair, in most localities, and
are rapidly going into disuse ; though, when allowed, they are by far the most destruc
tive, and usually make but brief work of the "sport" in the ring.
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 53

RULES OF THE PIT.

The regulations to govern parties engaged in a main or other battle between Game
fowls — be the numbers large or small — are in a general way very much alike in Boston,
Maine, Connecticut, New York, at the West, or the South. We give those of New York
as a sample ; those in other localities are similar, in all important details.

NEW YORK COCK-PIT RULES.

Article. 1. The pit shall be circular, at least eighteen feet in diameter, the floor of
which shall be covered with carpet or some other suitable material. There shall be a
chalk or other mark as near as can be to the centre of the pit. There shall also be two
outer marks, which shall be one foot each way from the centre mark.
2. The pitters shall each choose one judge, who shall choose a referee. Said judge
shall decide all matters in dispute during the pendency of the tight, but, in case of their
inability to agree, then it shall be the duty of the referee to decide, and his decision shall
be final.
3. Chickens shall take their age from the 1st day of March, and shall be chickens
during the following fighting season, to wit: — From the 1st day of March, 1876, to the
1st day of June, 1877.
4. It shall be deemed foul for either of the respective pitters to pit a fowl or chicken
with what is termed a foul hackle — that is, any of the feathers left whole on the neck.
5.- The pitters shall let each cock bill each other three or more times, but this is not to
be so construed that the pitter of a cock has a right to bill with his opponent's cock for
the purpose of fatiguing him.
6. No person shall be permitted to handle his fowl after he is fairly delivered in the
pit, unless he counts ten, clear and distinct, without either cock making light ; or shall be
fast in his adversary, or fast in the carpet, or hung in the web of the pit, or in himself.
7. Any cock that may get on his back, the pitter thereof shall turn him off it, but not
take him off the ground he is lying on.
8. Whenever a cock is fast in his adversary, the pitter of the cock the spurs are fast
in shall draw them out; but the pitter of a cock has no right to draw out his own spur,
except when fast in himself, or in the carpet, or in the web of the pit.
9. When either pitter shall have counted ten tens successively, without the cock re
fusing fight, making fight, again breasting them fair on their feet, breast to breast and
beak to beak, on the centre score or mark, on the fifth ten being told, and also on the
ninth ten being told, shall have won the fight.
10. No pitter, after the cocks have been delivered in the pit, shall be permitted to
clean their beaks, or eyes, by blowing or otherwise, or of squeezing his fowl, or pressing
him against the floor during the pendency of a fight.
11. When a cock is pounded, and no person takes it until the pitter counts twenty
twice, and calls three times "Who takes it V and no person does take it, it is a battle to
the cock the odds are on ; but the pitter of the pounded cock has the right to have the
pound put up, that is, twenty dollars against one ; should not this be complied with, then
the pitter should go on as though there had been no poundage.
12. If a cock is pounded and the poundage taken, and if the cock the odds are laid
against should get up and knock down his adversary, then if the other cock is pounded
and the poundage not taken, before the pitter counts twenty twice, and calls out "Who
takes it '(" three times, he wins, although there was a poundage before.
54 THE GAME FOWL,

13. It shall be the duty of the respective pitters to deliver their cocks fair on their feet
on the outer mark or score, facing each other, and in a standing position, except on the
fifth ten being told ; and also on the ninth ten being told, when they shall be placed on the
centre score, breast to breast and beak to beak, in like manner. Any pitter being guilty
of shoving his fowl across the score, or of pinching him, or using any other unfair means
for making his cock fight, shall lose the fight.
14. If both cocks fight together, and then if both should refuse until they are counted
nut, in such cases a fresh cock is to be hoveled and brought into the pit, and the pitters
are to toss for which cock is to set to, first ; he that wins has the choice ; then the one
which is to set to last is to be taken up, but not carried out of the pit. The hoveled cock
is then to be put down to the other and let fight, whilst the judges, or one of them, shall
count twenty and the other in like manner, and if one fight and the other refuse, it is a
battle to the fighting cock ; but if both fight or both refuse, it is a drawn battle.
N. B. This rule is rarely carried into effect, but any pitter can exact it, if he thinks
proper to do so.
15. If both cocks refuse fighting until four, five or more, or less tens are counted, the
pitters shall continue their count until one cock has refused ten times ; for when a pitter
begins to count, he counts for both cocks.
16. If a cock should die before they are counted out, if he fights last he wins the
battle ; this, however, is not to apply when his adversary is running away.
17. The crowing or raising of the hackle of a cock is not fight, nor is fighting at the
pitter's hands.
18. A breaking cock is a fighting cock, but a cock breaking from his adversary is not
fight.
19. If any dispute arises between the pitters on the result of a fight, the cocks are not
to be taken out of the pit, nor the gaffs taken off, until it is decided by the judges or
referee.
20. Each cock, within two ounces of each other, shall be a match ; except blinkers
when fighting against two-eyed cocks, an allowance from three to five ounces shall be
made ; when blinkers are matched against each other, the same rule to apply as to two-
eyed cocks.
21. All matches must be fought with heels, round from the socket to the point, not
exceeding one and a quarter inches in length, unless otherwise agreed upon. Drop Sock
ets, Cutters, Slashers, and Twisted heels shall be considered foul.
22. Previous to heeling the cocks, in fighting a main, the four spurs, of same pattern
and size, shall be placed together, and the pitters shall toss for choice of them.
23. In all mains, at the end of each battle, the judges shall order the spurs to be
changed, i. e., the spurs of the winning cock to be placed on the loser's next fowl, and
changed at the end of every battle.
24. Any person fighting a cock heavier than he is represented on the match list, shall
lose the fight, although he may have won.
25. In all cases of appeal, fighting ceases until the judges or referee give their deci
sion, which shall be final and strictly to the question before them.
26. When a bet is made, it cannot be declared off unless by consent of both parties ;
all outside bets to go according to the main bet.
2T. Each pitter, when delivering his cock on the score, shall take his hands off him
as quickly as possible.
28. Any person violating any of the above rules shall be deemed to have lost the match.
 FOB THE PIT, OB THE SPIT. 55

DISEASES OF GAME FOWLS.

As we have hinted in another place, the diseases to which Games are subject are not so
numerous as are those with which common or other " fancy " fowls are often troubled —
and their ills and ails are also, to a certain extent, peculiar to this variety.
Roup will assail them frequently, especially after a battle, (even if they prove winners)
when they have been severely punished, or badly wounded. From taking cold at such a
time, they become roupy, or they may contract this disease by fighting a roupy cock.
The indications of roup are very palpable. The bird droops, coughs, or snips, rattles in
breathing, declines in health, and soon becomes useless, unless promptly relieved.
To cure him, he must be taken away from his mates, at once, and treated by himself.
If you have more than one invalid bird, separate these, also. Put them into a clean,
warm coop. Bathe the head, nostrils, and mouth, with a weak wash of chlorinated lime,
or liquid nitre. Sponge out the inside of the mouth, frequently, with a wash of salt
brine. Give a pill three times, daily, as large as a filbert, composed of Cayenne pepper
or Ginger, with one half dough, mixed up with castor oil or butter. Every other day,
give him one pill for a week, made of ground rhubarb and flour, equal parts — with an
alternate of charcoal and sulphur. And as soon as the wounds heal, wash his head,
neck, and mouth in common mm, or whiskey, for a few days. This will usually bring
him about, all right.
For use as a preventative to the occurrence of this disease, ordinarily, among the Game
birds, or as a very convenient medicine to be kept on hand at all times, for emergencies,
the German Roup Pills now manufactured by H. H. Stoddard, at Hartford, Conn., will
be found highly serviceable. These pills are convenient for administering, and are a
scientific combination of health-giving or restorative constituents, that have been proved
in thousands of instances, in the past five years, wondrously beneficial, where they have
become known. We commend these Pills after thorongh personal trial.
Canker is an ailment that commonly affects the Game fowl — from their pecking each
other, daring their training exercise, or especially after a fight. The beak-wounds upon
either antagonist are often severe, and these are so inoculated in their contests as to
produce this affection readily. If not seen to directly, the mouth, tongue, gullet, and
the region about the eyes become very sore, and it requires care and nursing to drive
this disease away.
The canker sores are yellow, and may readily be discerned upon examining the head and
mouth. An offensive smell accompanies this ail. Old cockers use common fine salt,
rubbed upon the diseased parts, as a general curative — applying it often, and thus drying
up the sores — which are scraped from time to time, until removed. The chlorate of
potash is preferable to this, however —either in solution as a constant wash, or in powder,
applied three or four times daily, as the table-salt usually is. Both the potash and the
lime are admirable cleansers. The Cayenne and rhubarb pills should be given (as in
cases of roup). And with fair care, the bird will quickly recover. This, like roup, should
be attended to promptly, as soon as the disease is discovered among the birds.
Inflammations often affect the Game race. The eyes, the head, or the throat, show this
not infrequently, from various causes — more particularly after a fight, or after undue
exercise ; and subsequent exposure to cold air or weather, while the birds are in a per
spiring state.
Give a fowl thus affected all the sun you can. Warm up his system, with common
black pepper pills, and bathe the parts that are inflamed in diluted alcohol, or spirits of
camphor. (The latter is excellent.) Feed lightly, on cooked warm mash. And apply
the wash four or five times, daily. This treatment will cure him.
56 THE GAME FOWL,

Diarrhaa is another not uncommon trouble known among Games. When your stags
are being trained for the pit, after being taken from their walks, they are too fleshy and
" soft," to engage in a contest, and must be scoured down in weight frequently, in pre
paring them for a battle. This will sometimes bring on diarrhoea. In other cases, through
the contracting of a sudden cold, either from undue exposure, or after they have been
sharply exercised, this disease will show itself.
The rhubarb and ginger pills will correct this difficulty, usually. Feed upon dry hot
mash, at such a time. Spare them the jalep ! This is an old-fashioned physic, but it is
not " a sure thing," with poultry. Check the discharges, give them flour (or bread)
soaked in ale, with a few drops of common "chalk mixture," or powdered gentian.
This will heal the disordered bowels, and restore — without weakening, or over-reducing
them.
Cramps, Scaley legs, Indigestion, Asthma, Crop-bound, the Sniffles, etc., are occasional
affections only with this species. The four complaints I have detailed above, comprise,
in their different phases, about all the ills that cockers ordinarily have to contend with.
Of the numerous named diseases occurring to Games (or other species of fowls) Roup,
Canker, Vermin, Diarrhoea, Inflammations, Indigestion, Costiveness, Sore-head and
"choleretic" attacks are the chief ails.
And these may really be reduced, in number, to half a dozen ; since most of these ail
ments are traceable to one general cause — to wit: neglect, abuse, bad shelter, poor food,
foul drink, tilthy premises, attacks of lice, exposure to inclement weather, carelessness
in training, etc., etc.
No sort of domestic fowl can be bred, or kept in good health, without care and judg
ment, good food and attention. And we advise in all cases, that prevention of sickness
among fowl-stock is far better in our usage, than is the attempt to cure them when
assailed. If we manage them rightly, they thrive. If we neglect, starve, or abuse
them—they will get sick, and die, ofteuer than they can be restored through " doctoring."
Here we must halt !

END.
 FOB THE PIT, OR THE SPIT. 57

GAME BREEDERS' DIRECTORY,

The following lines comprise the address of American fanciers,
with the varieties of Game Fowls bred by them in different parts of
the country — so far as the names reached us, before going to press
with the first edition of this volume.

S. J. BESTOR; Genuine White Georgian and Spangled Games. Hartford, Conk.

I. ALTAIAN ;, first-class Spangled Game — true to name. - - Hartford, Conn.
E. T. BAILY ; Black-red, Duckwing and Brown-reds. - - Mt. Kisco, N. Y.
F. STERLING; Breeder of Black-breasted Bed Game. - - Bridgeport, Conn.
BENSON & BURPEE; Games from Imported Stock. 223 Church St, Philadelphia.
C. S- HETTS ; Bl'k B. Red, Gold and Sil. Duckwings, Derby, Tartar, &c. Mt. Ksco, N. Y.
A. II. LANG ; Black-red, Red Pile Game, and Bl'k Red Game Bantams. Toledo, Ohio.
H. KELLOGG; Black-breasted Red Games. - - - Brainard Station, N. Y.
C. H. WARREN; Black-red, Brown-red, and Duckwings. - - Verona, N. Y.
R. TWELLS; Black-red, and Red Pile Games. - Montmorencv, Ind.
C. S. LINCOLN; Black-red, Georgian, and Duckwings. - - Warren, Mass.
W. H. GARDINER; Black-red, and Blue Games. - - Mechanicsville, Ohio.
W. G. BACKUS, JR. ; Black-red, Duckwings, etc., and Pit Stock. Pittsfield, Mass.
THOMAS SMITH ; Black-red and Duckwing Game Bantams. Stony Brook, L. I., N. Y.
A. I). WARREN ; Black-breasted Red Games—from Imported stock. Worcester, Mass.
0. \V. BRIGDEN ; Black-red, Duckwings, White Georgian, G Bantams. Moravia, N.Y.
J. E. & W. H. HELLINGER; Black-breasted Red Games. Edgewood, Bucks Co , Pa.
D. C. COLEMAN; Pit Games — Dusty Millers, etc. - - - Chicago, III.
E. J. WINDER ; Black-breasted Reds, and B. B. Red Game Bantams. New Haven, Conn.
0. P. TOOMBS; Breeder of Pit Fowls, warranted "Dead Game." Schenevus, N. Y.
S- A. GORDON ; Heathwood, Tartar, and Irish Gray Games. - Castile, N. Y.
DR. R S TRASK ; Black-reds, Heathwood Games, etc. Alleyton, Newaygo Co., Mich.
EDWARD COLLINS; Black-breasted Reds, for Pit or Show. Dundas, Ont., Canada.
CHARLES AIKEN; Earl Derby and Heathwood Games. - - Tenafly, N. J.
A. E. ABBOTT; Imported English, Irish, and best Native Games. E. Hampton, Mass.
W. HUNT; Dead Games—pure and true— exclusively. " - North-East, Md.
E. P. LITTLEFIELD; Games bred exclusively for the Pit. - Manchester, N. H.
CHAS. BROCK WAY ; Breeder of Black-breasted Red Games. Haverstraw. N. Y.
58 THE GAME FOWL.

W. H. TODD ; Black-breasted Red Games, and other high-class fowls. Vermillion, O.

A. K. MAKTIN : Blk Red Games, and Blk B. Red Game Bantams. Binghampton, N. Y.
GEO. W. DURKEE: Breeder of Black-breasted Red Games. - Middlefield, Conn.
WM. M. SAUNDERS; White Georgian Games. - - South Norwalk, Conn
GEO. M. HEERICK ; B. Red, Blue, and Pile Games, and Game Bantams. Danburv, Conn.
JOHN HOGAN; Breeder of Irish and Mexican Gray Games. - - Newton, N. J.
WM. li. MARTIN; Standard Black-breasted Red Games. - Thompsonville, Conn. ?
H. ROESCH ; Breeder of Black-breasted Red Games. - Kane, Greene Co., III.
A. YIGNOS; Choice Fancy Fowls, Pure ground Bone and Shells. Canton, O.
ED. JAMES ; Breeder of "Clipper" Games. - No. 88 Centre St ., New York City. J"
R. W. CURTIS; Black-red Games, of best stock. - Stratford, Conn. ^
WM. JAS, HEALEY ; Black-reds, Tartars, Duckwing, etc. - Mineral Point, Wis.
L. RUSSELL ; Breeder of Black-red Gaines. --- - Knoxville, Tenn. v
J. H. FISHER; Importer and Breeder of Games. - Weston, Mass.
JAS. H. PHILLIPS ; Breeder of Blk B. Reds and Pit Games. - Coventry, N. Y.
GEO. E. MORSE; Black-red, Red Pile, and Blk Sumatra Games. Hub bardston, Mass. "
GEO. H. PEASE; Breeder of Black-breasted Red Game Bantams. Canisteo, N. Y.
THOMAS EDGAR ; Heathwood, Tartars, Lancashire Piles, etc. North McGregor, Iowa. ^
IS. E.SMITH; Black-breasted Reds, Duckwing, White Pile Games, &c. Potts Grove, Pa. s.
L. A. BARTLETT; Breeder of Superior Pit Games, of fine plumage. Manchester, N. H. r~
li. F. WHITE ; Game Fowls, Pointer and Setter Dogs. - Ashley Falls, Mass. ~.
W. F. MUCHMORE ; Breeder of Black-breasted Red Games. Basking Ridge, N. J.
GEO. F. JASPER ; Black-breasted Red Game Bantams. - - - Quincy, III.
G. K. GOULDING ; B. B. R. Games, and B. B. R. Game Bantams. 23 Central St., Boston.
CHAS. H. PECK ; Breeder of Pure Game Fowls, for the Pit. - Batayia, N. Y.
DANIEL FOSTER ; Breeder of "Paddy Carey" Pit Games. 3 West Third St., New York.
JAS. H. FITZPATRICK ; Imported and Heathwood Games. Valley St., Medford, Mass.
GEORGE PENDERED ; Black-breasted Red Games, etc. Jenniper (Luz. Co ) Penn.
SAM HOLMES ; Black-breasted Red Games, etc. - - Chatham, Ont., Canada.
B. F. GRAM ; Imported and American Games. - - Silver Spring P. 0., Penn.
A. E. SMITH ; Black-red and Duckwing Games. - Milwaukee, Wis.
S. KINSMAN; English and Malay Games. - Champion, (Marquette Co.) Mien.
NIEL THOMSON ; Breeder of Heathwood and Imported Sefton Games. Lowell, Mass.
G. BAXTER; Tartar, Heathwood, Derby Games, and B. B. R Bantams. Danville, Vt.
FRED. W. SPEAR; Black-breasted Red Cames. - Springfield, Mass.
LOUIS SENDKER; Irish Muffs, and Pit Games, only. - Parker's Landing, Pa.
W. E. CRAIB; Breeder of Java, Black-reds, and Blue Games. - Keokuk, Iowa.
WM. E. McQUILLIN ; Pure Black-red and Duckwings. - Newburyport, Mass.
JOHN W. CAREY ; Breeder of Pit Games, exclusively. - - Wilmington, Dm..
W. I!. CLARK; Black-breasted Red, Blues, Red Piles, Tartars, &c. Sandy Hill, N. Y.
MAY 6 - 1955