VISUAL PERCEPTION OF THE CHICK 5 



Aryan peoples. The Chinese record, however, if its reliabiHty 

 be not questioned, suggests an important exception. At any 

 rate, the Hfe of the chick has been so long connected with human 

 activities that it has become quite dependent upon man. If 

 left to itself, it is no longer able, to maintain an existence. 

 Since becoming domesticated, it has changed in form and has 

 been bred toward gigantic or dwarfish structure according to 

 climatic conditions and the influence of natural and artificial 

 selection. 



As a result of these variations, there were in the year 1911 

 over 160 breeds of domestic fowl. Five of these are recognized 

 as distinctly American breeds, of which the most typical is the 

 Barred Plymouth Rock. An accurate knowledge of the Plym- 

 outh Rock's blood heritage is impossible, for in the duplica- 

 tion of the original stocks and in the perfection of the breed 

 numerous elements were intermingled. It is generally believed 

 that the original stock was secured by crossing the American 

 Dominique with black Javas or Cochins. Light Brahma, Dark 

 Brahma, and Pit Game are said to have been used in its making. 

 This breed was briefly known as Plymouth Rock until the white 

 variety appeared, after which it became known as Barred Plym- 

 outh Rock. 



This particular type of fowl appeared about the middle of the 

 19th century. Some of the more intelligent poultry breeders 

 conceived the idea of a breed of chicks particularly adapted to 

 American conditions. Accordingly, they set about developing 

 birds with the desired characteristics. As a result of this 

 activity there were exhibited in 1869 the first Plymouth Rocks, 

 These birds were so favorably received that they soon became 

 more numerous in America than all the other standard bred 

 birds combined. The observations reported in Part II were 

 made upon this strain of chick. 



Selected References on the Origin and History of the Domestic Fowl 



Brehm, A. Tierleben: DieVogcl. Bd. 7. 4th ed. 



1911. 

 Darwin, C. The origin of the species. 



1889. 

 Houwink, R. The history of domestic poultry. Assen (Holland). Also. 



1911. De Hoenderrassen. 



