The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

by William Taplin

WATTLES

—are the gills hanging from below the under beak of a cock: these are taken from a stag (young game cock) at the same time with his comb, so soon as they are sufficiently grown for the operation, which is performed before they are turned down to a master walk. The little finger is insinuated into the throat of the cock, when which is properly distended, the wattles are cut off close all round with the scissars; and, lastly, the comb; the whole being slightly washed with a little weak salt and water.