WILD BIRDS SUSCEPTIBLE OF DOMESTICATION. 



289 



This bird used to be highly valued for the ta- 

 ble, and I see no reason why it should not 

 again. 



"Next comes the genus Phasianus, or Pheas- 

 ants. These birds are more valuable in a wild 

 state, in parks and preserves, on account of 

 their beauty, and the sport afforded in shooting 

 them. 



" Next to this comes the most valuable genus 

 to the poulterer of any yet mentioned, that of 

 Gallus, or Cock. Our present domestic varie- 

 ties are derived principally from the G. Ban- 

 kiva, but some of the larger varieties, probably, 

 come from G. Giganteus, and G. JEnus, and 

 perhaps from some of the other large species. 

 The native country of this genus is India and 

 its islands. In the same country is also found 

 another genus, some species of which are fre- 

 quently domesticated by the natives. It is that 

 of Gallophasis Cock-pheasants, which could un- 

 doubtedly be introduced here. The most com- 

 mon species are G. Ignitus, or FIRE-BACKED 

 pheasant, and G. Ery throphthalmus, or Ked-eyed 

 Pheasant. 



"Besides this, in the same country is found 

 the genus Ceriornis, or Trogophans, which also 

 would bear our climate perfectly well. 



" The next genus in value, as well as order, 

 is that of Meleagris, or Turkey. There are but 

 two species, however, belonging to this genus, 

 one of which is found in the north, and the oth- 

 er in Central America. M. Gallopavo is the 

 common North American species, which has 

 been spread all over the world. The other spe- 

 cies, M. Ocillata (Honduras Turkey), was al- 

 most unknown until within a few years. It is 

 much more beautiful than the common turkey, 

 and also much more delicate and difficult to 

 rear ; so that I doubt whether they can be suc- 

 cessfully domesticated in this country, though 

 they are not uncommon in a domestic state in 

 Yucatan. 



" ANSEEES. 



" The next order from which is derived an 

 important part of our poultry, is that of An- 

 seres. 



" The first genus is that of Cygnus, or Swan. 

 It comprises nine species, of which four are 

 T 



European, two are North American, two are 

 South American, and one New Holland. All 

 of these might be domesticated with us. The 

 species now domesticated is C. Orlor. 



"The second genus is that of Anser, or 

 Goose. There are eight known species be- 

 longing to this genus, of which two, the Snow 

 and the White-fronted goose, are common to 

 Europe and America, and five are common to 

 Europe and Asia. The Anser Ferus, or com- 

 mon wild goose of Europe, is the stock from 

 which descend nearly all our common domestic 

 varieties. All the species of this genus might 

 be introduced into our poultry-yards. 



"The third genus of this order is that of the 

 Bernicla, or Barnicle Goose. The most im- 

 portant species of this genus is Bernicla Cana- 

 densis, or our common Wild or Canada goose. 

 Nearly all the species of this genus might be 

 domesticated. Our common Brant (B. Brenta) 

 is frequently found in a domestic state along 

 the sea-coast of Massachusetts. 



" The fourth genus likely to afford poultry is 

 that of Aix. There are but two species belong- 

 ing to this genus, viz., A. Sponsa, our common 

 Summer or Wood duck, and A. Galericulata. 

 the Mandarin duck of China, both of which are 

 occasionally domesticated, and are chiefly val- 

 uable as ornaments to pleasure-grounds, on ac- 

 count of their brilliant plumage. 



"The fifth genus, that of Mareca, or Wid- 

 geons, has been almost totally neglected by our 

 poulterers and bird-fanciers, although having 

 very beautiful plumage and excellent flesh ; al- 

 most all the species would bear domestication 

 perfectly well. 



"The sixth genus, that of Defila, or Pin- 

 tailed ducks, affords two or three large and very 

 beautiful ducks. Defila Acuta, our common 

 gray duck, is occasionally domesticated. 



"The seventh and most important genus of 

 this order is that of Anas or ducks proper. 

 The common tame duck is derived from A. 

 Boschas, or Mallard, a species common to Eu- 

 rope and North America, which is occasionally 

 crossed with A. Moschata, the Muscovy duck. 

 This last belongs more properly to a different 

 genus that of Cairina and is of considerable 

 value in the poultry-yard." 



