188 CLASS AVES. • 



the plumage, black or very dark red, the thighs very mus- 

 cular, the legs stout, and armed with long spurs, the toes 

 provided with claws, slightly crooked, and strongly acerated. 

 He should also be alert, petulant, ardent in caressing, and 

 prompt in defending the females ; attentive in soliciting them 

 to eat, in keeping them together during the day, and assem- 

 bling thera in the evening for rest. 



The cock begins to propagate at three months old ; his 

 vigour lasts in perfection only three years, though he may 

 live to the age of ten. The cocks of larger species and varie- 

 ties are more slow in their development, and their prime in 

 all probability lasts longer. When the cock becomes superan- 

 nuated he must be turned out, as no longer worthy to figure 

 in the seraglio. The handsomest and bravest of all the super- 

 numerary young cocks in the establishment must be chosen 

 to succeed him. 



When there is any hesitation between two of these cocks, 

 equally handsome and strong, the best mode of deciding, 

 says M. Parmentier, according to the advice of a lady, is to 

 make them fight, and give the preference to the conqueror. 

 The hens appear to be of the same opinion, showing, like 

 other females, a decided inclination in favour of the strong 

 and courageous of the other sex. 



When the empire of the poultry-yard is divided between 

 two or more cocks, peace does not long subsist among them. 

 Their restless, ardent, impetuous, and jealous character, soon 

 breaks out in frequent and bloody quarrels ; combat follows 

 instantaneously on provocation ; the two adversaries stand 

 opposed to each other with bristling plumes, keeping the 

 neck extended and the head low ; they observe each other 

 in silence, with fixed and sparkling eyes ; on the least move- 

 ment of either, they erect themselves, dart upon, and tilt 

 their bodies against each other ; this manoeuvre is repeated 

 until the most adroit and the strongest has torn the comb of 



