216 CLASS AVES. 



elapse before any of them can do the same. This fact appears 

 to us almost decisive of the question. 



It must be allowed, however, that if the artificial mode 

 could be brought to succeed in Europe, it would be very 

 desirable. It is far more productive in Egypt than the 

 natural incubation elsewhere. If it succeeded, there would 

 be no interruption to the laying of hens for the whole season. 

 From various accidents, it happens that more than half the 

 eggs, which are incubated by hens, prove unproductive. 

 Now, in Egypt more than two thirds of the eggs produce 

 chickens. The conductor of one of these hatching establish- 

 ments constantly returns two thousand chickens for three 

 thousand eggs, and contents himself, as a recompense for his 

 cares, with the birds which are disclosed from the remaining 

 thousand. 



We shall now notice a few of the varieties, or sub-races, 

 of the domestic cock, and then proceed to a consideration of 

 such species as have been considered distinct in the genus. 

 The characters which mark the varieties, or sub-races, are, of 

 course, specifically unimportant. They consist, chiefly, in 

 differences of size ; greater or less extent of comb : ift this 

 last being double, or replaced by a plume of feathers ; in the 

 feet and toes being feathered, or smooth ; and other discre- 

 pancies of the same nature. 



The Crested Cock (Gallus Crista tus) differs from the 

 domestic, by having an ample tuft of feathers, instead of a 

 fleshy comb, upon the head ; but it retains the wattles. Some, 

 indeed, have these replaced by bunches of feathers ; and in one 

 — said to be of a cross-breed with the cocks of Hamburgh, or 

 perhaps this race itself, for it does not differ from Cristatus 

 except in having the eyes surrounded with a circle of feathers — 

 similar plumes, falling back horizontally, cover the ears, the 

 occiput, and sometimes the throat. 



