is proud, stately,
upright landing and walking, and his frequent Crowing in his Pen.
4. _Of a sharp and ready Heel_, which (in the Opinion of the best
_Cock-masters_,) of high Estimation; a _Sharp-heel'd Cock, tho' somewhat
false, is better_ (as dispatching his business soonest) _than a true
Cock with a dull Heel_.
For _Breeding_, the Best season is from the Moon's encrease in
_February_, to her encrease in _March_. The _March_ Bird is best. And
now first get a _perfect Cock, to a perfect Hen_, as the best Breeding,
and see the _Hen_ be of an excellent Complexion (_i.e._) rightly plumed,
as black, brown, speckt, grey, grissel, or yellowish; tufted on her
Crown, large bodied, well poked, and having Weapons, are Demonstrations
of Excellency and Courage. Observe further her Comportment, if Friendly
to her Chickens, and revengeful of Injuries from other Hens.
When the _Cock_ and _Hen-Chickens_, (going till now promiscuously one
with another) begin to quarrel and peck each other, part them and
separate their Walks: And the best for a Fighting Cock, are private and
undisturbed Walks, as, _Wind-mills_, _Water-mills_, _Grange-houses_,
_Park-lodges_, &c. and their _Feeding-place_ on soft Ground, or Boards;
and have for his meet, _white Corn_, or _White-bread Tosts_, steept in
Drink, or Urine, is good, both to Scower, and Cool them. And do not
debilitate and debauch his Courage and Strength, by having too many
_Hens_ to walk with; three _Hens_ are enough for one _Cock_.
If before they be six Months Old, any of your _Chickens Crow_ clear and
loud, and unseasonable, then to the Pot or Spit with them, they are
Cowards; the true _Cock_ is long ere he gets his Voice, and when he has
gotten it, keeps good and judicious Time in Crowing.
Next observe your _Roosting Perch_, for this makes or marrs a _Cock_;
for forming of which, consult the best _Cock-masters_ Feeding pens, and
the Perches there, and accordingly proportion your own; take care that
the Ground underneath the Perch be soft, for if it be rough and hard, in
leaping down he will hurt his Feet, and make them Gouty and Knotty.
For the _Dieting_, and _Ordering_ of your _Cock_ for Battle, observe
these Rules. Let your _Cock_ be full two years Old, then in the latter
end of _August_, take up and Pen him, (it being now _Cocking-time_ till
the end of _May_) and see that he be sound, hard feather'd, and full
summed.
The first four days after Penning, Feed him with the Cru
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