THE GAME-BIRDS AND RAILS 



2 I 



Fhcic by C. Rtidi 



PEACOCK 



\(}te r^e perfectly symrfictrita/ distribution of the 



llCisha 



members known as the Game-BREED is well known, and in the da\-s of cock-fighting large 

 sums of money changed hands over the fierce battles waged by rival game-cocks pitted one 

 against the other — the game-cock, it should be remarked, being the little-modified descendant 

 of the red jungle-cock. 



The modern game-cock is purely a show-bird, breeders having changed the type by 

 selecting characters which would render the bird quite unable to hold its own if matched in 

 battle with one of the original breed. 



Very difterent from the wild ancestor is the huge, much-feathered COCIIIX. This was 

 introduced into England, not from Cochin-China, as is popularly supposed, but from Shanghai, 

 some fifty years ago. At that time this bird enjoyed the reputation of being wonderfully 

 prolific. This is, alas ! no longer a feature of the breed. The show-pen is apparently respon- 

 sible for this, attention having been paid rather to 

 external appearance than to useful qualities. 



The Plymouth Rock: and Dorkixg are both 

 well-known breeds. The former is of American 

 origin, made by crossing Cochins with a native breed 

 — the Dominique. 



The Black Spaxish, ^Mixorcas, Leghorxs, 

 AXD.\LUSL\NS, etc., constitute what are known as 

 the Mediterranean breeds. They are noted for their 

 great prolificac}'. This has been gained by carefully 

 breeding from the most productive birds, but with 

 the result that the instinct to sit has been lost 

 entirely. This is a matter of no consequence, how- 

 ever, as when chicks are requu-ed there are plenty of 

 "broody "hens of other breeds which can be made BACK VIEW OF PEACOCK 



to undertake the duties of foster-mother. Note the true tail, like a Uoutfan, mpfcrting the train 



