ny ball games, opposing sides or teams have to be chosen. Some
games have their own distinctive methods of assigning parts, but in
most cases any method may be used. A few of the most popular,
practical, and useful methods are given here. (See also _Floor
Formations_ in previous chapter.)

For very little children, the teacher or leader should choose or
assign the players for the different parts, such as who shall be the
first cat or mouse in the game of "Kitty White," or who shall go into
the center in many of the singing games. This method is often used for
parlor games in children's parties by the hostess, though many other
methods may be used. For older players, the following methods will be
found helpful.

COUNTING-OUT.--This is a very popular method among children. One
player in the group, generally self-appointed, but sometimes chosen by
popular consent, does the "counting out." He repeats a rhyme or
jingle, touching one player on the chest for each accent of the
verses. He always begins with himself and then touches the first one
on his left, and so on around the circle or group in regular order.
Any player to whom falls the last word is "out"; that is, he is
eliminated from the succeeding counting and is not to be "It,"
generally a matter for rejoicing. Such a player steps out of the group
at once. This counting is continued, the verses being repeated over
and over, until only two players are left, when the formula is again
gone over, the one to whom the last word falls being free, and the
remaining player "It." When a verse is not long enough to go around
the entire group, the player at his discretion may lengthen it by
adding "One, two, three,--out goes he!" (or she); or "O-U-T spells
out!"

From many verses the following, without which no collection could well
make its appearance, are chosen as typical for the purpose:--

"Onery, twoery tickery tee,
Hanibal, Crackible, turnablee.
Whing, whang, muskadan,
Striddledum, straddledum, twenty-one!"

The following counting-out rhyme is famous in literary annals as
having been taught to Sir Walter Scott before his open fire by that
dainty little maiden, Marjorie Fleming:--

"Wonery, twoery, tickery seven;
Alibi, crackaby, ten and eleven;
Pin, pan, muskydan;
Tweedle-um, twoddle-um,
Twenty-wan; eeerie, ourie, owrie,
You, are, out!"

The following are old and popular forms:--

"Enna, mena, mina, mo,