ORDER CALLlNiE. 219 



great cocks of Rhodes, of Persia, and of Pegu ; and the large 

 hens of Bahia, mentioned by Dampier. 



In a natural order, the species Bankiva should occupy the 

 second rank, as having concurred to the production of our 

 domestic fowl and their numerous variations. In fact, on 

 considering this bird, it will be found to exhibit many re- 

 lations with ovir village cocks of the middle size ; the form 

 and colour are the same ; the crest and wattles are like those 

 of our cocks ; and the hen so much resembles a common hen, 

 that it is difficult to distinguish it, except by the less vertical 

 slant of the tail. This character is much more apparent in the 

 male ; it may be observed, however, that in all the primitive 

 species known, the tail has not so vertical a position, nor is it so 

 abundantly provided with covering feathers, as in the domestic 

 cocks. It would appear, that in the last, the superabundance 

 of nourishment, and the assiduous care of man, have power- 

 fully contributed to furnish them with juices, proper for the 

 development of all their organs ; this is amply proved by 

 the different races of which we have already given a slight 

 survey. 



No primitive species yet known exhibit so much analogy 

 with our domestic breeds as the Jago and Bankiva. The 

 females, like our hens, have small crests, and the skin of the 

 neck is denuded of feathers. 



These birds were brought from Java by M. Leschenault. 

 The inhabitants of the interior of that country call them 

 Ayam Bankiva ; they inhabit great forests, and are often 

 found along the borders of woods ; they are exceedingly wild. 

 They very much resemble, as we have already mentioned, 

 both in form and colours, the Turkish and Bantam breeds. 

 The position of the tail, however, differs, being horizontal 

 and vaulted in Bankiva, while in the last mentioned races, it 

 is more raised, and forms two vertical planes. Tlie feathers 

 which fall from the neck over the top of the back are, as in 



