Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ... breeds and strains. the counterfeits. In briefly describing this strain, we will speak of the manTier in which it gained its name. A battle was fought in Baltimore county, one cock being matched against a more noted one, the one of less celebrity winning with apparent ease. The man who lost the battle claimed the conquering cock as his own, and charged that it was stolen from his yard; but it being shown to his satisfaction that this was not the case, he replied, "Then he is the best counterfeit I ever saw." In this way the winning cock and his progeny were christened Counterfeit, and after the battle alluded to he came into the possession of a man named Goss, who besides breeding with him, fought several battles, until finally he was conquered by a Gray Eagle cock. The Counterfeit has been styled the champion strain of Baltimore for many years. The strain was first derived from a dark red cock, weighing five and a half pounds, with fine rosy comb. The colors run into black reds, reds with blue breasts, and dark legs. They are proud in bearing, well feathered, and have generally rose, with occasionally a single comb. There are spurious counterfeits (by the way. not a repetition in meaning) in the market, having been so named because they well answer the general description, especially in having rose combs. Such are at best but three-quarters game, and have generally been obtained by crossing with half-games. Genuine Counterfeits are good and rapid fighters, strong in leg, well built, good for pit purposes; and, where the oddity of: a rose comb is not objected to, excellent for breeding purposes. the sergeant strain. The following is a brief history of the Sergeant strain of game fowls, and the cause of their celebrity as fighters: --Some...