154 DOMESTICATED ANIMALS 



wild state this bird had already to a great extent lost the 

 power of flight, using its wings only for escaping from four- 

 footed pursuers or to attain the branches of the trees in which 

 it sought safety in the night time. With this measure of loss 

 of the flying power, the creature abandoned the habit of rang- 

 ing over a wide field, and thus was made more fit for domes- 

 tication. Moreover, in their wilderness life these birds dwelt 

 in more established communities than their kindred species. 

 The most of these wild forms do not keep together through 

 the year, but scatter after the young are able to shift for 

 themselves. The Indian species of Gallus, however, from 

 ' which our cocks and hens descend, have organized their life 

 so that the individuals remain associate in a friendly way 

 throughout the year. 



A part of the fitness of this creature to cast in its lot with 

 man arises from the fact that they have very sympathetic 

 natures. This is shown by the way in which the cocks will 

 fight for their hens, even against their dreaded enemies, the 

 hawks ; and by the manner in which the mother, overcoming 

 her natural fears, will do battle for her brood. It is shown 

 also in the curious mingling of gallantry and kindliness with 

 which the cock will call a hen to give her some choice bit of 

 food which he has captured. As he grows older and becomes 

 Philistinish, we may note that, after the manner of unfeath- 

 ered bipeds, he is often disposed to indulge his selfishness, 

 and summons his flock only to see him devour the morsel. 

 Even in old age, however, the males of the varieties which 

 are nearest the parent stock maintain their helpful motives 

 and will struggle with infirmity to beat off a bird of prey. 



The sympathetic and affectionate quality of our barnyard 

 fowl is perhaps best indicated by the singular variety and 



