In scoring really fine specimens in full winter-coat extra points can, and should be, claimed for purity of tint, bushiness, etc.
There is no record of a specimen being scored. Probably the last person to do so may have been Jason. The best authorities assume this, adducing as contributory evidence his later, passionate quest of the Golden Fleece. Ourselves we regard it as more likely that Chiron was never scored, Jason being held back by the natural delicacy of one _in statu pupillari_. In fact, Chiron was, almost certainly, a “local double-fault.”
This question is dealt with in the terminal essay.
The specimen is a good one, and no player who is deceived by a growth of this kind need feel the smallest depression. It is the kind of thing that might happen to anyone.
A young specimen, darker than dark brindle, has, I believe, never been scored.
[Illustration: Ecclesiastical-King-Beaver]
Rare in general, there are frequently to be found in Cathedral cities large coveys, not very strong on the wing.
Local rules should be consulted as to the scoring. Fine specimens count at least three points.
I myself, recently, claimed an Ecclesiastical-King, in a country town, and was awarded two games for it; a well-known local rarity of which the place is justly proud.
It was a superb specimen, in good coat, a darkish brindle, and in official robes.
The species is less common than formerly. Some purists refuse to score these Fringed-Georgics on the plea that the upper lip is bare and the _chin_ partially bare and that they are, therefore, double-faults. The general ruling is that as the adornment _circumnavigates_ the face the chin is not bare, the bareness of the upper lip is immaterial and the specimen should be scored; one point in the country, three points in London.
The game is almost unplayable in France. Owing to the superabundance of specimens only rarities should be scored.
A report has just been received from Cap D’Antibes of a “magnificent Wasp-Waisted-King.” Game was called. No information was sent (correspondents are deplorably slack) as to colour or coat.
Good players, in France, lay great stress on minute differences in colour and characteristic, _i.e._, crimped, curled, waved, rat-tail, wuzzy, wild-garden, etc.