This was a favourite game at Christmas parties for forfeits. The players
sit all round the room, a small ball or a handkerchief tied up is then
thrown by the leader at one. After several feints so as to catch one not
watching and throw the ball at that one and shouting Earth Air, or
Water, and as soon as the word is said begins to count up to ten as fast
as possible. The person hit by the ball has to name a bird, beast, or
fish before ten has been counted or pays a forfeit. A name must not be
mentioned which has been used by another person as that also entails a
forfeit. It was not a game for a stammering person.