CLASS AVES 405 



Several birds have been domesticated by man, some for many cen- 

 turies. The very numerous cultivated varieties of the common domestic 

 fowl were all probably derived from a jungle fowl of India. The domesti- 

 cated pigeons are descended from a wild blue rock pigeon ranging from 

 Europe to Central Asia, and here again a great variety of cultivated 

 types have been developed. There are also to be included among 

 domesticated birds the geese; ducks, most of which have come from the 

 wild mallard; turkeys, which were natives of North America; and pea- 

 fowls, which originally were found in Oriental countries. Many birds 

 have been cultivated for their ability as singers, a conspicuous example 

 being the canary; and others, such as parrots, parrakeets, and love birds, 

 for their plumage. 



