CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 5. RASORES. 



253 



COCHIN CHINA FOWL. 



Jungle Fowls in India, Java, Sumatra, &c. The Kulm Cock, G. girjanteiis, also called the Gi- 

 gantic Cock^ is twenty-six inches high; it is found domesticated in the Deccan, and is supposed to 

 have been brought from Java oi- Sumatra. The Bankiva Cock, G. Bankiva, is smaller, and has 

 the form of the Bantam ; it is found frequenting the borders of forests in Java. The Jungle 

 Cock of English sportsmen in India, G. Sonneratii, is abundant in the woods of the Western 

 Ghaut Mountains and some other parts of India; there are several varieties or species. This is 

 a remarkably fine and spirited race. Other wild species are the Fork-tailed Fowl of Java, 

 G. furcatus ; and the Bronzed Cock, from the interior of Sumatra, G. ceneus. Which of 

 these remarkable birds may claim to be the original father of the Domestic Fowl of the civilized 

 world, it is impossible to determine. It is suggested, by good authority, that, probably, the 

 Bankiva Cock is the original stock, but that this has been modified by multiplied mixtures with 

 other species through a period of many thousand years. One thing is certain — the domestic fowl, 

 like the domestic pigeon, has within it a principle of variation, which has resulted in an almost 

 indefinite number of permanent varieties, which reproduce and propagate themselves. 



" The courage of the Domestic Cock is proverbial, and has become emblematic ; his gallantry is 

 admirable, his sense of discipline and subordination most exemplary. See how a good game- 

 cock of two or three years' experience will, in five minutes, restore order in an uproarious poultry- 

 yard. He does not use hard means of coercion when mild will suit the purpose. A look, a ges- 

 ture, a deep chuckling growl, gives the hint that turbulence is no longer to be permitted ; and if 

 these are not effectual, severer punishment is fearlessly administered. Nor is he aggressive to birds 

 of other species. He allows the turkey to strut before his numerous dames, and the guinea-fowl 

 to court his single mate uninterrupted ; but if the one presumes upon his superior weight, and the 

 other on his cowardly tiltings from behind, he soon makes them smart for their rash presumption. 

 His politeness to females is as marked as were Lord Chesterfield's attentions to old ladies, and 

 much more unaff"ected. Nor does he merely act the agreeable dangler ; when occasion requires, 

 he is also their brave defender, if he is good for any thing," 



The good qualities of the hen are even more conspicuous ; her diligence m laying Jier eggs, her 



