402 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
for the beauty of its plumage and the extraordinary length of its 
tail—it is said that the exportation of this bird is severely interdicted ; 
and, lastly, the beautiful Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, so called because 
her ladyship brought the first living specimens to Europe. 
The Argus (Argus giganteus, PLATE XX.) a bird with magnificent 
plumage, which inhabits the forests of Java and Sumatra, takes its 
place beside the Pheasants, from which it only differs in having the | 
tarsi longer and unprovided with spurs, and by the extraordinary 
development of the secondary feathers of the wings in the male. 
The tail is large and round, and the two middle feathers are extremely 
long and straight. When seen as it struts round the female, spread- 
ing its wings and tail, this bird presents to the eye of the spectator 
two splendid bronze-coloured fans, upon which are sprinkled a pro- 
fusion of ocellated markings much resembling eyes ; it owes itsname 
of Argus to these spots. In a state of quiescence the wings are folded 
on the sides, and attract little attention. Only in the male bird is 
this gorgeous display of colouring to be found. The Argus is very 
timid ; thus its habits are little known. 
The general characteristics of Domestic Poultry (Gadlus, Fig. 155) 
are as follows :—A middling-sized, curved, and strong beak ; head 
surmounted by a fleshy, red, and denticulated crest, the lower jaw 
furnished with two hanging gills, equally red and fleshy; rather long 
tarsi, armed with sharp spurs; short, concave, and obtuse wings; 
tectiform tail, arched and falling in plumes, with very developed 
medium feathers ; brilliant plumage, with metallic reflections. This 
description applies exclusively to male birds. Hens are not gifted 
with these exterior advantages ; their plumage is generally dull and 
unattractive, their straight and slightly-raised tails are limited to an 
ordinary proportion ; their crest is reduced to the most simple ex- 
crescence, and in certain species entirely disappears ; lastly, their legs 
are without the spur with which the male is armed. 
Whatever may be the opinion adopted as to the origin of the 
Domestic Fowl, we know that amongst the species indigenous to Asia 
are the Bankiva race (Gal/us Bankiva), which so nearly resembles our 
village chanticleer as to be often confused with it; the Jungle Fowl 
(Gallus Sonnerati), inhabiting Java, Sumatra, and Hindostan ; the 
Bronzed Cock (Ga//us eneus); the Forked-tailed Cock (Gallus furcatus); 
and the Giant Cock or Kulm Cock, the largest species known. These 
are considered, not without reason, the founders of our most extensive 
races. ‘The last-mentioned lives both in a wild and domestic state in 
Java, Sumatra, and India proper. 
The Negro Cock offers a very remarkable case of contrast to the 
