AYES. 373 



This group is composed of species of wild cocks from several of which 

 the domestic poultry is probably derived. They are all natives of India 

 and the adjacent islands, frequenting the forests. They are remarkable for 

 their pugnacity, especially when questions regarding their females have to 

 be settled, and all the species crow in a manner more or less resembling 

 the cock of the farmyard. 



It is difficult to determine which of the wild species -have been domesti- 

 cated, as varieties of the latter occur which resemble several, though natu- 

 ralists are apparently quite justified in pointing out at least two species, 

 which are the Malay cock {Galliis giganteus) and the jungle cock (6r. 

 bankiva). The former is a large and rather clumsy bird, long domes- 

 ticated in the islands of Java and Sumatra, and is very probably the 

 original stock of all the large and more peaceable birds of the common fowl 

 {pi. 95, ßgs. 10, 11). 



The jungle cock is the forefather of the gamecock, and joint progenitor 

 of many and various coloi-ed crossbreeds between it and the offspring of 

 the Malay cock, and possibly of others. He inhabits continental India, 

 and is clothed in fine red and golden orange plumage, much resembling 

 that of the well known game birds, though he is considerably smaller. 

 This species is yet abundant in the forests and jungles of India, in which 

 country he has been domesticated from time immemorial. There are, 

 however, no traces of the manner or period in which he was introduced 

 into Europe, though known familiarly at the earliest date of recorded his- 

 tory, both as a delicacy for the table and for his pugnacious character. 



Cockfighting was carried to a great extent by the Hindoos long prior to 

 the invasion of Alexander, but seems originally to have partaken somewhat 

 of the character of a religious rite, as did many games. This amusement 

 was practised by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and by them transmitted 

 to modern times. 



The bronzed cock (G. ceiieiis), the fork-tailed cock {G. furcatus), and 

 Sonnerats cock {G. sonneralii), are other species which also inhabit ladia. 



Sub-fam. 4. MeleagrincE, or Turkeys. Head and neck bare, and gene- 

 rally hairy and carunculated ; bill moderate, strong ; wings short ; tail 

 moderate ; tarsi and feet very robust. Size various, frequently large ; 

 colors dark. 



This sub-family comprises the turkeys, of which there are two species, 

 and the Guinea fowls, of which there are five. 



The common turkey, Meleagris gaUopavo [pi. 95, fig. 12), is a native 

 of the I'orests of North America, and was formerly distributed throughout 

 the entire country. It has now, however, become extinct or nearly so in 

 the States on the Atlantic seaboard, but is still abundant in the west and 

 south. The turkey is strictly gregarious, and flocks of several hundreds 

 are generally seen together ; their movements from place to place are 

 entirely performed on foot, and when apprehensive of danger they usually 

 trust to their legs rather than resort to flight. It is said, however, that they 

 are capable of flying a short distance with great swiftness, and that when 

 their progress is impeded by a river, after a considerable delay and exami 



ICONOGRAFHIC EXCVCLOP.EDIi. — VOL. IF. 37 577 



