BOOK VIII. n. 9-12 



It is advisable not to keep any but the most salaci- 9 

 ous cock-birds and the same colour as in hens, and the 

 same number of claws is looked for in them, but a 

 loftier stature. Their crest should be high, blood-red 

 and not crooked, their eyes darkish or tending 

 towards black, their beaks short and hooked, their 

 ears very large and white, their wattles bright-red 

 tending towards white and hanging down like grey 

 beards, their head-feathers of different colours or gold 

 shading into yellow and extending over their throats 

 and necks on to their shoulders. Their chests should 10 

 be broad and muscular, their wings brawny and like 

 arms, and their tails very prominent and divided into 

 two halves, bending over with a single projecting 

 feather on each side. They should also have huge 

 thighs, thickly covered with bristling feathers ; their 

 legs should be robust but not long, and armed for 

 offence with what may be described as stakes ready 

 for the attack. These male birds, though they are 11 

 not being trained for fighting and the glory of 

 winning prizes, are, nevertheless, esteemed as 

 well-bred if they are proud, lively, watchful and 

 ready to crow frequently and not easily to be 

 frightened ; for on occasion they have to act on the 

 defensive and protect their flock of wives, nay, even 

 to slay a snake which rears its threatening head or 

 some other hurtful animal. 



For such male birds as these five hens each are 12 

 provided. Of the Rhodian and Median breeds the 

 father-birds are not very salacious on account of their 

 heavy build, nor are the mother-birds very prolific : 

 however, three hens are mated with each cock-bird. 

 And when they have laid a few eggs, they are lazy about 

 sitting on them and much more so about hatching 



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