28 OUR DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



But as tlie •writers of antiquity speak of it as 

 a bird long domesticated in their days,' and 

 extensively spread, we may justly conclude 

 that its subjugation ranks amongst the remote 

 of man's peaceful conquests over the animal 

 kingdom. Its domestication was probably 

 first achieved in India, while, at the same time, 

 in Malay, another species known as the 

 Malay gigantic fowl, might have been also 

 subjugated, and from these points distinct 

 races, soon intermingling together, might have 

 radiated. 



And here, perhaps, we may be permitted to 

 take a review of the wild birds or species which 

 may have contributed to the domestic varieties. 



1st. The Malay gigantic fowl, (Galhis 

 ffiffanteus — Temminck.) This large and very 

 remarkable species is a native of Java and 

 Sumatra. The male bird in its natural atti- 

 tude exceeds two feet in height, measuring 

 from the top of the head to the ground. The 

 comb is thick, and low, and destitute of serra- 

 tions, appearing as if it had been partially 

 cut off, the wattles are small, and the throat 

 is bare. The neck is covered with elongated 

 feathers or hackles, of a pale golden reddish 

 colour, which advance upon the back, and 



