Malays. 105 



CHAPTER XII. 



31 A L A Y S . 



THIS was the first of the gigantic Asiatic breeds im- 

 ported into this country, and in height and size exceeds 

 any fowl yet known. The origin of the Malay breed is 

 supposed to be the Gallits giganteus of Temminck. "This 

 large and very remarkable species," says Mr. W. C. L. 

 Martin, " is a native of Java and Sumatra, The comb is 

 thick and low, and destitute of serrations, appearing as if 

 it had been partially cut off ; the wattles are small, and the 

 throat is bare. The neck is covered with elongated 

 feathers, or hackles, of a pale golden-reddish colour, which 

 advance upon the back, and hackles of the same colour 

 cover the rump, and drop on each side of the base of the tail. 

 The middle of the back and the shoulders of the wings are of 

 a dark chestnut, the feathers being of a loose texture. The 

 greater wing-coverts are of a glossy green, and form a bar 

 of that colour across the wing. The primary and secon- 

 dary quill feathers are yellowish, with a tinge of rufous. 

 The tail feathers are of a glossy green. The under surface 

 uniformly is of a glossy blackish green, but the base of 

 each feather is a chestnut, and this colour appears on the 

 least derangement of the plumage. The limbs are re- 

 markably stout, and the robust tarsi are of a yellow colour. 

 The voice is a sort of crow hoarse and short, and very 

 different from the clear notes of defiance uttered by our 

 farmyard chanticleer. This species has the habit, when 

 fatigued, of resting on the tarsi or legs, as we have seen 

 the emu do under similar circumstances.' 7 



In the " Proceedings of the Zoological Society " for 1832, 

 we find the following notice respecting this breed, by 

 Colonel Sykes, who observed it domesticated in the 

 Deccan : " Known by the name of the Kulm cock by 



