Bill shorter than the head, compressed, conical, higher than broad at
the base; ridge advancing upon the forehead and dilating in some species
into a naked plate; point of both mandibles compressed, and of equal
length; the upper slightly curved, the nasal groove very large, the
under forming an angle. Nostrils at the sides, in the middle of the
bill, slit lengthways, half shut by a membrane which covers the nasal
groove, and pierced from part to part. Legs long, naked above the knee;
three toes before and one behind, the fore toes long, divided, and
furnished with a very narrow border. Wings of middle size, the first
quill shorter than the second and third, which are the longest in the
wing. The latter does not hold in some foreign species.—_Montagu._
GALLOP, _v._ To move forward by leaps, so that all the feet are off
the ground at once; to move fast.
Gallop is one pace of the horse, well known by that general name; though
it will admit of gradational distinctions. A canter is the slowest
gallop, in which a horse bears most upon his haunches, but lightly on
the bit: it is a pace which spirited good-tempered horses seem to enjoy,
and is peculiarly calculated for the accommodation of a lady. A rating
gallop is the increase of action to such pace as the peculiar horse may
or can go with ease at his rate in common strokes, without being exerted
to speed; and this is the hunting gallop of thorough-bred horses, who
will always lay by the side of hounds at it, without being in the least
distressed. A brushing gallop upon the turf, implies an increased degree
of velocity, but not equal to utmost speed.—_Taplin._
GALLOP, _s._ The motion of a horse when he runs at full speed.
GALLOPER, _s._ A horse that gallops.
GALLOWAY, _s._ A horse not more than fourteen hands high.
Galloway is the name given to that useful kind of small horse from
thirteen to fourteen hands high; they are rarely to be seen of exact
symmetry, uniform strength, and adequate action; but, if well bred,
their qualifications and endurance of fatigue exceed description.
GAMBET, (_Fringa Gambetta_, LINN.; _La Gambette_, BUFF.) _s._ A
bird.
This is the Chevalier Rouge of Brisson, and the Red-legged Horseman of
Albin. For want of a specimen of this bird, the following description is
borrowed from Latham:—
“Size of the Greenshank: length twelve inches, bill of a reddish colour,
with a black tip; the irides yellowish green; head, back, and breast
cinereous brown, spotted with dull yellow; wing coverts and scapulars
cinereous, edged with dull yellow; prime quills dusky; shaft of the
first white; tail dusky, bordered with yellow; legs yellow. This
inhabits England, but is not common; has been shot on the coast of
Lincolnshire. Known in France; but is there a rare bird. Has a note not
unlike the whistle of a woodcock; and the flesh is esteemed. Inhabits
Scandinavia and Iceland; called in the last Stelkr. It has also been
taken in the Frozen Sea between Asia and America.”—_Bewick._
GAMBREL, _s._ The hind leg of a horse.
GAME, _s._ Sport of any kind; jest, opposed to earnest; merriment; a
single match at play; field sports, as the chase; animals
pursued in the field.
In choosing game, young birds may be distinguished by the softness of
their quills, which in older ones will be hard and white. The females
are, in general, preferable to the males; they are more juicy, and
seldom so tough. For example, a hen pheasant or a duck is to be
preferred to a cock pheasant or mallard. The old pheasants may be
distinguished by the length and sharpness of their spurs, which, in the
younger ones, are short and blunt. Old partridges are always to be
known, during the early part of the season, by their legs being a pale
blue, instead of a yellowish brown; so that, when a Londoner receives
his brace of blue-legged birds in September, he should immediately snap
their legs, and draw out the sinews, by means of pulling off the feet,
instead of leaving them to torment him, like so many strings, when he
would be wishing to enjoy his repast. This remedy of making the leg
tender removes the objection to old birds, provided the weather will
admit of their being sufficiently kept; and indeed they are then often
preferable, from having a higher flavour.
If birds are overkept their legs will be dry, their eyes much sunk, and
the vent will become soft and somewhat discoloured. The first place to
ascertain if they are beginning to be high is the inside of their bills,
where it is not amiss to put some heather straw or spice, if you want
them to keep for any length of time. Birds that have fallen in the
water, or have not had time to get cold, should never be packed like
others, but sent openly, and dressed as soon as possible.
* * * * *
A peculiar culinary mode of perfuming their birds was observed at the
table of the King of Tunis, who landed at Naples to have an interview
with Charles the Emperor. They were stuffed with odoriferous drugs and
spices to such an expense, that the cooking of one peacock and two
pheasants, dressed after this fashion, amounted to a hundred ducats, and
when they were carved, not only the dining-room, but all the apartments
of his palace, and even the adjoining streets, were filled with the
aromatic vapour, which was not presently dispersed.—_Hawker_—_Daniel._
GAMECOCK, _s._ A cock bred to fight.
GAME-EGG, _s._ An egg from which fighting cocks are bred.
GAMEFOWL, _s._ Game cocks and hens.
Game fowls are too well known to require a particular description. Their
plumage, particularly the red, is most beautiful and rich; their size
somewhat below the common, and their symmetry and delicacy of limbs to
be compared with those of the race-horse and the deer, or in more strict
analogy, with the wild species of their own genus. The ancients kept
gamecocks for the same purpose as the moderns, and there is a game breed
at present existing in India; but I have not hitherto obtained any
information as to the origin of our game breed, which has been
established during many centuries in this country. Their flesh is of the
most beautiful white, and superior to that of all other breeds of
domestic fowls, for richness and delicacy of flavour; but the extreme
difficulty of rearing the chickens, from their natural pugnacity of
disposition, which shows itself at the earliest possible period, deters
most breeders, excepting those who breed for the cock-pit. I have many
times had whole broods, scarcely feathered, stone-blind from fighting,
to the very smallest individuals; these rival couples moping in corners,
and renewing their battles on obtaining the first ray of light. On this
account few can be reared, and as this disposition, to a certain degree,
prevails in the half-bred, it prevents crossing with the game cock,
otherwise a great improvement. The game eggs are smaller than common,
finely shaped, and extremely delicate.
Philanthropists are in the habit of declaiming much against the practice
of cock-pit battles, but, on reflection, the cruelty of that sport will
be found among the least, wherein the feelings of animals are concerned;
since fighting, in the gamecock, is a natural and irresistible passion,
and can never take place against his will; and since those engaged in
regular combat upon the arena would do so voluntarily, and with equal
ardour, did they meet in the desert. Another and similar mistake is the
supposed additional cruelty of arming the heels of the cock with steel,
which, on the contrary, conduces to shorten the period of their
sufferings.—_Moubray._
GAMEKEEPER, _s._ A person who looks after game, and sees it is not
destroyed.
Gamekeepers are subject to the full penalties of unqualified and
unlicensed persons, as well as to actions of trespass, if they outstep
the bounds of the manor for which they are appointed.
Only one can be appointed to each manor.
_Deputation of a Gamekeeper._—The deputation granted to a gamekeeper
must be registered with the clerk of the peace, within twenty days after
it was granted, and a certificate taken of the same, under penalty of
20_l._ The deputation for one gamekeeper holds good till another is
appointed. If a new gamekeeper is appointed within the year, the game
certificate of the former keeper, may be transferred to him for the
remainder of the year, and this must be done free of all expense, by the
clerk to the commissioners of the district.
_Form of a Deputation._—(To be written on a 1_l._ 15_s._ stamp).
Know all men, by these presents, that I of , in the
county of , Esquire, lord of the manor of , in the
same county, have nominated, deputed, and appointed, and by these
presents do nominate, depute, and appoint of , yeoman,
to be gamekeeper of and within my said manor of with full
power, license, and authority to pursue, take, and kill any hare,
pheasant, partridge, or other game whatsoever, in and upon my said
manor of , for my sole and immediate use and benefit, and also
to take and seize all such guns, bows, greyhounds, setting dogs,
lurchers, ferrets, trammels, lowbells, trays, or other nets,
hare-pipes, snares, or other engines, for the pursuing, taking, or
killing of hares, rabbits, pheasants, partridges, or other game, as
shall be used within the precincts of my said manor, by any person or
persons, who by law are prohibited to keep or use the same. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of
, 18 (Signature and seal.) Sealed and delivered in
presence of
(The signature of one witness, specifying his place
of abode, is sufficient).