CHAP. II.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 43 



scarlet, together with fleshy "wattles" of the 

 same colour and consistence, pendent in an 

 oval form from his throat ; his beak should 

 be short but strong ; and the feathers, or 

 " hackles," of his neck should fall gracefully 

 down. The comb and wattles are, however, 

 neither flesh nor membrane, but a peculiar 

 substance, partaking of both, and highly valued 

 by epicures when brought to table as a fricas- 

 see. His wings should be short and firmly 

 feathered with plumage of the most variegated 

 but brilliant colours of the darkest brown and 

 red ; his tail rising in an arch, without a white 

 feather — which has passed into a proverbial 

 mark of cowardice : though we have seen good 

 cocks of all colours. He should stand firmly 

 erect, with an air of haughtiness, his head ele- 

 vated, and wearing a look of bold defiance. 

 His crow should proclaim the dawn with that 

 shrill tone of joyousness which has acquired 

 for him the name of " chanticleer," or, as 

 the poet styles him, 



" The crested cock, whose clarion sounds 



The silent hour;" 



and every act of his should evince vigour and 

 animation. He is, indeed, generally viewed 



