DOMESTICATED BIRDS 169 



succeed in developing a variety approaching in dimensions the 

 gigantic moa of New Zealand, or the aepyornis of Madagascar, 

 those magnificent creatures of the past which passed away 

 just before their native lands were known to our race. The 

 variations in size of the wild ostrich appear to indicate that 

 this interesting result may be attainable. 



Next after the cocks and hens the most important birds 

 of economic value have come from the water fowl. In this 

 field there are great opportunities for domestication, only a 

 few of which have been adequately used. The aquatic 

 birds, save for the fact that they are in all cases inspired with 

 a more or less strong migratory humor, lend themselves to 

 the shaping hand of man more readily than, most other forms. 

 These creatures have the habit of association in a much more 

 perfect way than our ground birds. They normally dwelt 

 in rather close order and in relations which are necessarily 

 very sympathetic. Whoever has watched the flight of wild 

 geese must have remarked the beautiful way in which they 

 arrange at once for close companionship and for safety in the 

 violent movements which impel their heavy bodies at high 

 speed through the air. In the order of their flight the align- 

 ment is more perfect than in the march of trained soldiers. 

 Each bird keeps as near to his neighbor as possible ; but 

 manages always to preserve the interval which will insure 

 against a collision of the strong and swift-moving wings, an 

 accident which might well disable them for flight. I have 

 repeatedly undertaken to confound their motion by firing a 

 rifle bullet at the head of the moving wedge. Although the 

 sound of the projectile, if well directed, will disturb their 

 processional order, it never brings confusion. The startled 

 birds sink down or rise above the plane of the air in which 



