278 A BOOK-LOVER S HOLIDAYS 



they did before being caponized, the differences, 

 chiefly in the color of the comb, being insignif 

 icant, for they were full-grown birds when 

 operated on. But their natures had suffered 

 the most extraordinary change, for they had 

 developed not only the habits but the voices 

 of unusually exemplary mother hens. They 

 never crowed; they clucked precisely like hens; 

 and they protected, covered, fed, and led about 

 their broods just like hens. They were timid, 

 except in defense of the chicks; but on their 

 behalf they were really formidable fighters. 

 The change in habits takes place with extraor 

 dinary rapidity. In a few hours the cock has 

 completely changed and can be placed with a 

 brood which he promptly adopts. In perhaps 

 one case in ten he does not take readily to his 

 duties as an ex-qfficio hen; and in such case the 

 further measure adopted seems as incredible as 

 the rest of the performance, for he is made 

 drunk with whiskey, acts as if he were in 

 toxicated, and then promptly develops maternal 

 feelings, and zealously enters on his new career. 

 We saw game-cocks clucking and calling to 

 their broods of little chicks, to get them to the 

 crumbs we tossed to them, and then sitting 

 with the chicks not only under their wings but 

 on their backs. They kept the broods with 



