Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-17
Queer indian Prize FIGHTS.

Queer Indian Prize FIGHTS.
In England little birds are matched
against one another for beauty of
plumage strength Of song, bat in In
cla they are taught prize fighting. The
quail IS most commonly used in these
prize competitions, and the bird dealers
VINO stock the fighting kind do a roar
Ing trade amongst the natives. The
BIRDS are kept in CAGES, scores and
scores being on view at the yariaus
bird dealers shops Those who en-
gage in the sport go the round or
these shops, and pick out those birds
that seem quarrelsome to the other in
mates of the cage. For the small adj
ditional fee of I'd the privilege is civ.
eh of selecting from the stock in hand.
The male birds only are used, the
females being placed in their cageu
within sight OF the battle royal to en-
courage their ahubbies" to fight rhi.
they readily do by means of "A peculiar
whistle. The natives have side stakes
on the fight, but the only consolation
The winning bird receives for perhaps a
few bruises and good shaking UP is
a liberal feed of delicacies.
They fight on empty stomachs. as
the natives consider that this gives
the bird a greater incentive to try and
win. The training Of the little crea-
lures is very odd Directly it mas
been purchased the quail is carried
about in the hand for several days, be-
ing lodged in Very small bag at
night. Meanwhile it is given seed in
he hand. and millet seed forms the
main ration. During this period he is
not allowed to even glance at Gne of
his brothers or sisters. After the
above preparation he enters into strict
training for his forthcoming contests,
and the natives adopt very peculiar
methods to further this end A table
Tor even the floor constitutes the
training field, and all that is necessary
is a small mirror with few seeds.
The mirror is placed upon the ta
| BILE, and n few seeds laid down half
way between the bird and the mirror.
AS the little bird has been previously
tasted for some hours he is naturally
| ready for his meal. and hastens to
partake of it. AS the bird endeavors
to pick up the seed the native bird
fighter places his hand over the food
Immediately Withdrawing it, and re-
peating the operation until the quail
| is worked into n frenzy.
Tb.n the mirror comes into ula Y.
Thinking that his own likeness por-
| traved in tho mirror is that Of another
mail who has been the cause OF his
boinq unablt IN feed he nromntlv chaI-
| anees II with bis sn,,rs Tho mirror is
| Non ot onco ron,o,,ed On &c not Tn al
low him ia damage himself. The mir
ror 10 brought into practice each ,lay.
| mil ofter the seventh ~ ,iabth dav
| . second ,n1ail-usnaIlv an old nrize-
fighting WARRIORS placed on the table.
The novice" bird starts on his more
experienced brother. but the latter Is
net permitted to strike too hard or too
often.
Theso 1n5ian bird connctitions arc
mil, thc old cock fights in England.
Thesr cocks were trained and fed to
he hard and fit, and medium sized
birds cnlv were used. The natives in
India. however, feed their birds WE'LL
fatfenine them up to a prime condi-
ton. These fighting competitions are
not al all what one would call exciting
although the natives, especially
| in the north of India. take this sort Of
| "sportp-if if can he so calico to heart
The native who possesses a first-class
fighter is very attentive to his charge;
and does not mind whom of his neigh
hors he challenges. Sometimes the
facbts are stopped. especially where two
savage little bulbuls are engaged in
combat. In the case of nuaiIs, how
evcr one of the birds will soon give
| in a fter receiving n neck or two. The
birds brino, their sharp spurs into work