THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



THE 1JANKIVA JUNGLE FOWL. 



terved, that in all the wild species known, the 

 rail does not rise so high above the level of the 

 rump, nor is it so abundantly provided with cov- 

 ering feathers, as in the common birds. Prob- 

 ably the superabundance of nourishment, and 

 the assiduous care of man, have contributed to 

 the greater development of all their organs. Dif- 

 ferent tame birds, indeed, such as the tufted 

 fowl, the Hamburgh double-comb varieties, and 

 others, show that domestication, probably on ac- 

 count of superabundant feeding, produces infi- 

 nite varieties. 



The Bankiva cocks very much resemble, both 

 in form and color, the tame Turkish and bantam 

 breeds ; but the tail differs in being nearly hor- 

 izontal and vaulted in the Bankiva, while in the 

 others it is more raised, and forms two upright 

 planes meeting above, and diverging below. 



The feathers which fall from the neck over the 

 top of the back are, as in other fowls, long and 

 with divided plumelets or braids, the feathers 

 widening a little and being rounded. The colors 

 of the plumage are exceedingly brilliant. The 

 head, the neck, and all the long feathers of the 

 back which hang over the rump are of a shining 

 flame-colored orange ; the top of the back, the 

 small and middle coverts of the wings, are of n 

 fine maroon-purple ; the coverts of the wings 

 are black, tinged with iridescent green; the 

 quill feathers of the wings are rust-red on the 

 outer, and black on the inner edges ; the breast, 

 belly, thighs, and tail, are black and tinged with 

 iridescent green ; the comb, cheeks, throat, and 

 wattles, are of a more or less vivid red; the 

 legs and feet are gray, and furnished with strong 

 spurs ; the iris of the eye yellow. 



