P H E A S A N T .
In Sumatra they do not trim the Cocks * for this fport, as in England,
nor is the fame kind of artificial fpur (or gaffle, as it is
called) ufed, being flat, and fharp-edged, like a crooked lancet, or
rather like the blade of a fcimitar f , and proves a moft deftruc-
tive weapon. This is not confined to a particular part of the
leg, but is placed higher or lower, according to the weight or
fize of the birds matched againft each other, left one fhould fight
with advantage againft the other; and it is affirmed that the
fport is carried to fo high a pitch at Sumatra, that inftances
have occurred of a father flaking his children or wife, and a fan his
mother and fiflers, on the iffue of a battle J.
It fhould feem quite needlefs to defcant on the manners of our
common Cocks and Hens in England, as every good houfewife finds
herfelf equal to the tafk of raifing chickens under hens; but it is
perhaps not fo generally known that in the wann regions they
are hatched without their afliftance, by means of a properly
regulated heat. This is done in ovens, or rather heated chambers,
other trained up far fighting: a fport which they are very fond of. Surely this
cannot be general; at lead it ihould feem not likely to be an amufement to
thofe who belive in the Motcmpjychofis.
• Neither did the ancients. Two antique gem relating to this fport, convince
us of it, as may be feen in Archteol. vol. iii, pi. 9. Indeed Cocks in full
plumage appear on many gems, though not to the fame purport as in the two
above mentioned,— See Wilde's Gemm, Seiet}. N° no. III. 143.— Anguß. Getnm.
N° 199. 202. 203. — alfo three hieroglyphical ones placed on the legs of Cooks,
taken from M. Angelo's Gemm. Antiche, in Gent. Mag. 1747* P* 3^ - ■ 1* Perhaps the weapon called a Razor by Fryer; who fays, that in the kingdom
of Vifiapour, in the Raft Indies, they ufe cock-fighting with Cocks as big as
Tnrkies, which they arm with razors tied Hat under their claws.— Fryer, Trav.
p. 179.
$ Hiß. Ssrnatr. p. 23S.-Gent. Mag. 1770. p. 564.
particularly
P H E A S A N T .
particularly in Egypt *, where they are hatched by thoufands j and
the people from all quarters come at the expected time to buy
them* and rear them from the egg with very little care. How
this might fucceed in the colder climates, has, we believe, not
yet been tried in earneft; but it is to be feared, that it would
not be attended with fuccefs.
Phafianus gallus (cridatus) Lin. Syfi. i. p. 270. j?— Faun. Suec. N° 199. B.—
Rais Syn. 51. A. 1. Var. 1.
Le Coe huppe, Brif. orn. i. p. 169. A.— Bufi eifi. ii. p. 116.— PI, enl. 49*
Copped Hen, Will. orn. p. 156.
r y H I S differs from the common, in having a tuft of feathers
on the head inftead of a comb, but having the wattles as
ufual. This variety is common in England, and is more or lefs
cr.efted: in fome the creft is fo large as to hide almoft the fight
of the eyes, by hanging over them. Thefe differ in colours ex-
aftly, as the firft fpecies.
7°3
V ak. B.
CRESTED C.
D escription.
Le Coq à cinque doigts, Brifi. orn. i, p. 169. B.'
t. 127, 12S.
Les. Mufi.
-Ruf. oifi. ii. p. 124.— Fri/cif.
V ar . C.
DARKING C.
T H I S variety has two toes behind inftead of one 5 otherwife D e s c r i p t i o n .
1 differs not from others. This may be accounted as a mere
fport.■ of nature; for there is not known any bird of this order
which has two toes behind in a natural Hate T* This race is
• Poeocke's Trav. i. p. 38. 260. pi. 71.
t The f l Fowl has frequently two hind toes, as well as now and then
other kinds. I have a leg of one of thefe which has three toes behind ; which«
I am informed, is not uncommon. —- At Sir AJhton Lever's is a Cock Sparrow
vtidifeven claws on each foot.
jg commorv