THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 47 



worse things might be said of her, and perhaps of many other 

 jealous tyrants. 



The courage of the Cock is emblematic, his gallantry admi- 

 rable, his sense of discipline and subordination most exemplary. 

 See how a good Game Cock of two or three years' experience 

 will, in five minutes, restore order into an uproarious poultry- 

 yard. He does not use harsh means of coercion, when mild 

 will suit the purpose. A look, a gesture, a deep chuckling 

 growl, gives the hint that turbulence is no longer to be per- 

 mitted ] and if these are not effectual, severer punishment is 

 fearlessly administered. Nor is he aggressive to birds of other 

 species. He allows the Turkey to strut before his numerous 

 dames, and the Guinea Fowl to court his single mate unin- 

 terrupted ; but if the one presumes upon his superior weight, 

 and the other on his cowardly tiltings from behind, he soon 

 makes them smart for their rash presumption. His politeness 

 to females is as marked as were Lord Chesterfield's attentions 

 to old ladies, and much more unaffected. Nor does he merely 

 act the agreeable dangler j when occasion requires, he is also 

 their brave defender, if he is good for any thing. "They 

 should sometimes offer resistance, and protect their flock of 

 wives, and even kill a serpent or other noxious animal that 

 threatens danger." Col. lib. viii., cap. 2. A Hen, that I 

 caught to examine, screamed till she called her husband to her 

 assistance. Instantly his spur was buried deep in the fleshy 

 part of my thumb, nor did his anger cease till the lady was at 

 liberty. The same Game Cock, whenever fowls were killed 

 for the table, made a point of attacking the man whose busi- 

 ness it was to secure them, tore his trowsers, and made all 

 possible bold resistance. 



"A Black Polish Cock that our shepherd has, struck him 

 the other morning on the temples, as he was catehing one of 

 the Hens, making the poor fellow faint and bleeding for some, 

 time. He said ' he did not mind hisself, but if er got vleeing 



