OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



Distribution of fowls in ancient times. From drawings and 

 descriptions on ancient tablets and from figures on old coins it 

 appears that the fowl was familiar to the Babylonians seven 

 thousand years ago, and that it was introduced into Egypt about 

 4600 B.C. Chinese tradition gives 1400 B.C. as the approximate 

 date of the introduction of poultry into China from the West. At 



the time of the founding 

 of Rome the fowl was 

 well known throughout 

 Northern Africa, and in 

 the Mediterranean coun- 

 tries of Europe as far 

 west as Italy and Sicily. 

 It was also known in 

 Japan at this time. 

 Whether it was known 

 in India is uncertain ; 

 if not, it was brought 

 there soon after. It is 

 supposed that immedi- 

 ately following their con- 

 quests in Central and 

 Western Europe the 

 Romans introduced their 

 poultry into those re- 

 gions. Thus, at about 



the beginning of the Christian Era, the fowl was known to all 

 the civilized peoples of the Old World and had been introduced 

 to the less civilized races of Europe. 



Development of principal races of fowls. There is no evidence 

 that any of the ancient civilized peoples made any effort to im- 

 prove the fowl, nor have any improved races been produced in the 

 lands where those civilizations flourished. Outside of this area 

 many different types were gradually developed to suit the needs 



FIG. 1 6. Light Brahma cockerel 



