46 BIRDS. GALLINADiE. Gallus. 



3. Gallus domesticus. Common Fowl. 



This is another bird of Asiatic origin, and probably introduced into this 

 kingdom by the Phoenicians, while trading with the ancient inhabitants in 

 tin. On the authority of Csesar, it is supposed that they were domesticated, 

 but not eaten. " Leporem et galUnam, et anserem gustare, fas non putant, 

 haec tamen alunt, animi voluptatisque causa ;" Com. lib. v.. Did Ciesar not 

 here refer to some of the indigenous species of Gallina, which we have enu- 

 merated, and to which, as well as the hare, the Britons might have extended 

 their protection, without keeping them in a tame state. 



The following well marked varieties are cultivated : Crested Cock, having a 

 tuft of feathers on the crown. Dorking Cock, with two toes behind. Rumkins, 

 without tail feathers or oil-bag. Frizzled Cock, having the feathers curled 

 inwards. Bantam, dwarfish tarsi, with long feathers behind — In reference to 

 this last. Sir T. F. RafHes, in his History of Java, vol. i. p. 349. says, " The 

 cock which we improperly call the Bantam, is not found on Java, except as a 

 curiosity : it comes from Japan." 



4. Numidia Meleagris. Pintado or Guinea-hen. 



This is a native of Africa. It is a restless bird, and its call, which is fre- 

 quent, is truly grating; but the eggs and young are considered delicious eating. 



5. Phasianus ColcMcus. Pheasant. 



This bird is of Asiatic origin. It was fii'st brought into Greece from Pha- 

 sis, a large river of Colchis, running into the Euxine. It is now generally 

 distributed throughout the temperate districts of Europe. The breed in this 

 country is preserved by the multitudes which are reared in confinement, and 

 then turned out into the woods of the nobility and gentry, otherwise, what 

 the climate spared, the poacher would speedily destroy. Two well marked va- 

 rieties occur. The common pheasant, the most ancient, and the ringed phea- 

 sant, more recently introduced. A mixed breed is of frequent occurrence, — 

 a circumstance unfavourable to the notion entertained by Temminck, " Om. ii. 

 454." of the Phasianus ioi-quatus being a distinct species. 



Mr Edwards has given a figure and description of what was supposed a hy- 

 brid between a turkey and pheasant, shot near Pstandford, Dorsetshire ; Phil. 

 Trans. 1759, 833. tab. xix. 



b. EXTIRPATED GALLIN.E. 



6. Urogallus vulgaris. Cock of the Avood, or Capercaillie. 



W, Ceiliog coed ; G, Capul coille. 

 This beautiful bird, which reaches to 2 feet 7 or 8 inches in length, and 

 weighs 12 or 13 pounds, formerly frequented the fir-woods of Ireland and 

 Scotland. In the latter country it was last seen in the woods of Strathglass, 

 in 1760. It continued in Strathspey until 1745 ; St. Ac (Kirkmichael, Banf- 

 shire. Rev. John Grant), vol. xii. p. 451. Recent attempts have been made 

 to reciuit our forests from Norway, where the species is still common. 



C. STEAGGLERS. 



7. Coturnix Marilanda. American Quail. 



Montagu, in his Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary (Article 

 " Grossbeak"), mentions a male of this quail which was shot near Mansfield, 

 by Mr Harrison, and afterwards sent to Lord Stanley. He adds, " The 

 American Quail has been turned out in some part of the British empire, with 

 a view to establish the breed, but we believe without effect. The late Gene- 

 ral Gabbit liberated many on his estates in Ireland, but in two years the breed 



