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Show BRITISH REVIVE ROOSTER FIGHTS Miners of Mountain Regions Hold Frequent Mains. Cock-fighting, an ancient blood sport, heavily suppressed by the police, is showing a marked revival In the moun-i tain districts in Britain. Two mem-, bers of the British aristocracy were recently fined $50 for participating in the promotion of a cock-tight. This form of sport flourished In Britain from the time of the Roman invasion, and the authorities have been trying to suppress it since 1305. Their efforts were partly successful in 1S49, when cock-pits in the cities were closed down, but their efforts have been practically fruitless In the mountainous regions of Britain. The owners of fighting cocks are usually miners who train these birds, which weigh from three to four pounds, and match them for a heavy stake. A series of matches are carried out 1 at a meeting, where the birds tight equipped with a pair of silver or steel spurs, with which they slash and tear each other, until one drops and is unable to rise from loss of blood. In some mains, as the matches are called, the cocks fight until only one is left alive. These matches usually take place on a Sunday morning, the promoters taking the utmost precaution to guard their plans from the police, who are always on the lookout for these meetings. An unfrequented spot in the moors or' mountains is chosen for the contests con-tests and a cordon of scouts are placed for miles around to give warning of the approach of the authorities.. |