ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN BREEDS 



11 



and seven to nine pounds for hens. The origin of the size of 

 the Malay, like that of the Cochin, is lost in the records of time. 

 Modern specimens of this breed carry a peculiar comb, called straw- 

 berry in America, walnut in England, and it may be produced by 

 crossing a pea comb on rose combed fowls. The pea type of comb 

 was common in early importations. It has been suggested that the 



A Pair of Malays Imported From England by E. R. Cope 

 of Philadelphia in 1850. 



Malay may have resulted from a cross of the compact bodied, pea 

 comb Aseel Game of India on scantily feathered Cochins. 



The Aseel is believed to be a very old breed, representing the 

 ancient fighting stock of India, which dates back to ten or twelve cen- 

 turies before the time of Christ. It is brawny across the shoulders, 

 wide-hipped, plump-breasted, and strongly muscled on wings, breast 

 and thighs. It is the direct ancestor of the Cornish Indian Game, in 

 which these characteristics are so pronounced. There is a tendency to 

 this brawny type in occasional specimens of the American breeds. 



The early importations of Malay game fowls are the third type 

 that was referred to in the beginning of this chapter as determining 

 to some extent the hereditary bent of the American breeds. 



Introduction of the Asiatic types to America. The Malay was the 

 first of the big Asiatics to be imported to England and America. In 



