The Fencing Cock
The fencing cock, Gallus
gladius, is a mystical animal
that inhabits the Philippines, and a few adjacent islands. It had not
been seen in the wild for over two hundreds years, and doubts
were being cast on whether or not it ever existed, before its recent
rediscovery by Prof. Jerome McIndale of the British Institute for
Cock Studies.
What
we know about the fencing cock today comes mainly from old texts from
before its rediscovery. The recency thereof, as well as the scarcity
of the animal, have not allowed us much study of this fascinating
creature.
In
the Philippines, it is believed that the fencing cock is a divine
appearance. This believe is closely linked to the large
cockfighting-community, who consider the fencing cock to be the best
fighting bird. It is even said that the fencing cocks themselves are
the patron saints of cockfighting. Many adepts seem to have claimed
that their animals were bred with a fencing cock.
As
far as the physical appearance goes, a fencing cock looks very much
like a regular rooster. It is, however, bigger, and its comb and
wattle are reduced in size. In addition, its beak is a straight
point.
When
confronted with another male, a male fencing cock will posture itself
sideways, and turn its head towards the competitor. Then, both
animals side by side, they will try to peck at each other, while
avoiding the other's blows or pushing them away with their wings. It
is said that their fights can be extremely ferocious, and that their
footwork is impressive to watch. This fighting method contradicts
sharply with those of regular roosters, who will often attack
head-on, and whose main weapon are their talons.
Genetic
tests need yet to be done to precisely estimate the degree of
parentage between the two species, but physical appearance, as well
as diet and courting behavior, suggest that fencing cocks are closely
related to regular chicken.
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