THE 



POULTRY BOOK. 



CHAPTER I. 



Natural History of the Common Barnyard Cock and Hen. Ori- 

 gin. Species. Varieties. Breeds or Races. None original- 

 ly from America. Anatomy. Moulting. Age. 



THE origin of the domestication of the 

 common cock and hen is unknown, but is 

 supposed to have been among "the first con- 

 quests made by man. In the earliest human 

 record it is stated that " the Spirit of God 

 moved upon the face of tjie waters." Some 

 commentators upon this passage say thaJ 

 the original word is brooded, which is taken 

 from the idea of a hen brooding over its 

 young. The Hebrew code regulating the 

 use of food is altogether silent on the sub- 

 ject of fowls ; but, as the peacock was do- 

 mesticated in the time of Solomon, or about 

 2800 years ago, we have strong grounds for 

 entertaining the be 1 '***" that the more useful 



