5S GALLItf^E. 



if these were allowed to be old enough ; but it has been satis- 

 factorily ascertained that age has nothing to do with them, 

 any further than as it may be one of the causes of sterility. 

 When that is in any way produced, the change of the 

 plumage is always a consequence; and the change is more 

 complete, in proportion as the sterility is more absolute. 



The popular adage of the unprofitableness of " crowing 

 hens," might have at once led to the same conclusion which 

 has been arrived at by actual observation, as the adage would 

 not have gained currency, if the fact that the crowers did not 

 lay eggs, had not been one of common occurrence. But the 

 voice which the sterile female acquires is an unnatural voice, 

 wanting the vigour of that of the male, and having no meaning 

 as to time. The male calls the colony to their labours in the 

 morning, and also proclaims triumph when an enemy or a 

 rival has been driven away. 



The sterile female, on the other hand, has no discrimination 

 of time or of purpose in her crowing, which is attempted 

 without any assignable cause. The following passage (Philo- 

 sophical Transactions, 1827) by Mr. Yarrell, the sagacity of 

 whose remarks is as valuable as the accuracy of his observa- 

 tions, is worthy of being quoted : " It is probable that they 

 (the barren females) do not live many years after the com- 

 mencement of the change, since so few are found to arrive at 

 any great degree of splendour. Of the many I have had 

 opportunities of examining, none possessed either the full- 

 sized broad scarlet patch round the eye, the fine blue zone at 

 the end of the red feathers of the breast, or much of the 

 bright straw-coloured mark on the scapulars and wing-coverts, 

 one specimen alone excepted ; nor have I seen a female phea- 

 sant with spurs ; and a bird belonging to Mr. Leadbeater, 

 (the one represented in the plate,) which is by many degrees 

 the finest I have ever seen, is also without any." The sub- 

 ject is one of much interest, and merits farther investigation. 



