38 THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 



sula, and in Cochin- China. It has long been known 

 in England, although it is only within the last few 

 years that much attention has been directed towards 

 it in this country. 



The cock, in his natural attitude, often considerably 

 exceeds two feet in height, from the ground to the 

 crown of the head. The comb extends backwards in 

 a line with the eyes ; it is low, thick, destitute of ser- 

 rations, and has the appearance as if its ridge had been 

 cut off. The wattles hanging from under the mandible 

 are small, and the throat is bare. The neck is long, 

 and covered with hackles of a pale golden-reddish 

 color, which extend to the upper part of the back. The 

 middle of the back and the lesser wing coverts are of 

 a deep chestnut, and the webs of the feathers are dis- 

 united ; the greater wing coverts are glossy-green ; 

 the secondaries and quill feathers are of a pale reddish- 

 yellow on their outer webs. The hackles of the rump 

 are long and drooping, and are of a pale reddish-yel- 

 low. The tail feathers are of a glossy-green. The 

 under parts generally are of a glossy greenish-black, 

 with high reflections, each feather being of a deep- 

 chestnut at the base, producing somewhat a mottled 

 appearance, especially if the plumage be a little 

 deranged. The body is stout, and the legs are long. 

 but very robust. In proportion to the size of the body, 

 and length of the neck and limbs, the head seems 

 small, and is far from being pleasing in appearance, 

 the curtailment of the comb and wattles seeming the 

 result of injury or malformation. The gait is heavy 

 and destitute of alertness, and the bird often reposes 

 resting on his shanks, their whole length being applied 

 to the ground. The attitude is uncouth, and gives the 

 idea of the bird being oppressed with its own weight. 

 It is very probable that this gigantic fowl is less dis- 

 posed to mount the trees and roost on the branches 

 than most others of the genus ; and this strange atti- 

 tude may be the ordinary mode of taking repose. 



The voice of the cock, instead of being a clear ring- 



