COCKFIGHTING, an ancient sport of unknown origin, but practised among both the Greeks and the Romans. An annual cockfight was instituted at Athens, and ylEschines re proaches Timarchus, and Plato the Athenians in general, with their fondness for the cock-pit. The breeds of Rhodes and of Tanagra in Bceotia were in great esteem in Greece. The Romans seem to have used quails and partridges also for this purpose. This sport has long been a favor ite with both Americans and English, although repeatedly denounced and prohibited by the laws. The size proper for game-cocks may be said to be not less than four pounds eight ounces, nor above four pounds 10 ounces. The strain from which the cock is chosen ought to be distinguished for victory. For the combat they are armed with steel or silver spurs, or "gaffles2) The place appropriated to fighting is called a "pit," and consists generally of a mound of earth covered with sod, and surrounded by seats in circular tiers. The battle is conducted by two °setters-to,'" who place the cocks beak to beak. When they are once "pitted') (this verb owes its origin to the sport of cockfighting), neither of the setters-to can touch his cock so long as they continue to fight, unless their weap ons get entangled. In the Philippine Islands
cockfighting is pushed almost to the verge of a craze. Nearly every village has its pit, and every peasant his cock. The peasant, too, is said to rescue his fighting-cock rather than his wife or child in the event of fire, and wherever he goes he takes it with him. The sport is there practised in a very cruel form, and many are ruined by excessive betting. Throughout all Spanish-America cockfighting is more or less in favor. It was formerly a regular sport in the public schools of England, and schoolmas ters received dues in connection with it. Cock fighting is still prevalent in China, Persia and Malacca. For early history consult Markham,