Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15
BY JUDGE F. j. MARSHALL

Game cock fighting is almost as
old as history. We have records
where cock fighting was favorit'
sport more than thousand years
before the Christian Era. The birds
were indigenous to Persia Hindus-
tan and he South Sea Islands They
are found in their wild state at this
time in the Philippine Islands and the
East Indies
" is asserted by writer's who have
made this fowl a study that il was
found in Georgia in its wild state as
late as 1927. II is also claimed that
il was one Of these fowls that did the
Growing when Peter denied Christ
BE that a 6 il may there is no doubt
: bout the existence or the game cock
for thousands Of wears.
And il has been carried down Ia
the present day. The very fact that
the birds We're trained for fighting
and the constant selection Of the very
best for breeding purposes In order
TO maintain the very best that might
be in them would indicate the great
health giving properties or qualities
of the game cock when crossed on
other varieties Of fowls
These superb qualities Of vigor
have led experimenters to use them
10 form certain new breeds. They
gave the stamina and vigor that was
obtainable in no other way. Thus
We are compelled to admit that while
we may not be willing TO countenance
cock fighting in any OF its forms ye'
II has been the means OF preserving
10 us the very best in nature. Wha
other bird has such walk or car
riage such a snap in the eye. so much
in flesh with so little in offai?
Best Description Of Bird.
Perhaps the best general descrip-
ton OF the real fighting game cock of
the ancients as brought down to the
present day and largely bred in Eng
land as well as many parts Of Amer
lea we take from John Harris, Of
Cornwall. perhaps the best authority
We have OF this class.
He says the beak should he big
crooked pointed and hawk like. eve
bold large fiery fearless, head small
and tapering. throat and face very
loose and flexible; neck large boned,
round and strong, back. short, broad
at the shoulders. and tapering TO the
tall breast, broad, fun and promi-
nent. with well-developed pectoral
muscles to give the necessary action
power ana iOfft 10 lne WiukSr
breadth and fullness to the breast
are most essential to the game fowl
whether considered from a sporting
point or for real utility
As indicating the activity and agil-
itv Of the game Mr.. Harrison Weir
speaks ~ his Derby Reds after com
ing to the feeding place as taking
wing and flying across two-acre
field to an adjoining woods for for
aging, thus showing their strength Of
flight The Pit Game should carry
rather a high tail.
There is quite tendency for
judges and others to discount the
high tail in awarding prizes IN the
show room under the impression that
it should come under the rule regard
ing squirrel tail upon many other
fowls This is all wrong for the PHI
with a low tail would be regular
monde sCTipt in the ring or in the
hands OF a competent breeder.
Show Lack Of Vitality.
A PIT Game with low carried tai
would show great lack Of vitality
the very point he should be the
strongest in. A good specimen should
stand with legs not very far apart
The shanks should he rather thin
fiat hard and bony and free from all
Superiiuous flesh. The bird should
stand medium high from the ground
not stiltv looking but with the hook
joints slightly bent as II ready fol
action AT the next moment.
The back should be broad at the