VARIETIES OF DOMESTIC FOWL. 103 



found means to overcome this propensity likewise. That per- 

 son observing that the birds were subject to great heat of the 

 skin, and that its surface occasionally became hard and tight- 

 ened, conceived that, in such cases, the hard roots of the feathers 

 being drawn into a position more nearly at right angles with 

 the body than at ordinary times, the skin and superficial mus- 

 cles were thus subjected to an unusual degree of painful irrita- 

 tion ; and it immediately occurred to him, that the disagreeable 

 habit in question was simply a provision of nature for the relief 

 of the suffering birds. Impressed with this idea, he tried the 

 effect of artificial relief, by washing with warm water, and the 

 subsequent use of pomatum to the skin. His experiment 

 was successful, and the birds' plumage has been ever since 

 untouched. 



As might be inferred, when such a propensity to devour 

 the eggs exists in the male bird, the female is a secret layer. 

 In this respect, these fowl show their, identity with the original 

 bird of Java, the Bankiva cock, whose wildness of disposition I 

 have already mentioned. These birds are both good layers and 

 good sitters. One in her Majesty's possession sat for nine 

 weeks, on three successive sets of eggs. 



The fowl commonly known as the Bantam is a small, ele- 

 gantly-formed, and handsomely-tinted variety, evidently not 

 remotely allied to the game breed. This bird is furnished with 

 feathers to the toes." 



