238 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



abroad now which condemns cock-fighting, and to 

 continue selecting and breeding cocks solely for 

 their game-points seems a mere futility. The 

 energy and enthusiasm expended in this direction 

 would be much better employed in improving the 

 bird's vocal powers. 



The morning song of the cock is a sound unique 

 in nature, and of all natural sounds it is the most 

 universal. *'A11 climates agree with brave Chanti- 

 cleer. He is more indigenous even than the 

 natives. His health is ever good; his lungs are 

 sound; his spirits never flag." He is a pet bird 

 among tribes that have never seen the peacock, 

 goose, and turkey. In tropical countries where 

 the dog becomes dumb, or degenerates into a 

 mere growler, his trumpet never rusts. It is true 

 that he was cradled in the torrid zone, yet in all 

 Western lands, where he "shakes off the powdery 

 snow," with vigorous wings, his voice sounds as 

 loud and inspiriting as in the hot jungle. Pale- 

 faced Londoners, and blacks, and bronzed or 

 painted barbarians, all men all the world over, 

 wake at morn to the ^'peaceful crowing of the 

 cock," just as the Athenians woke of old, and 

 the nations older still. It is not, therefore, 



