THE FOWLS OF THE FARM 119 



conversation, and playfulness. Contrast with this the pea- 

 fowl : it is of good quality and large size and effulgent showi- 

 ness, but it has a raucous voice and bad social manners, 

 and it has never taken any hold on the affections of human 

 kind. There can be no doubt that in the beginning — in those 

 prehistoric days during which all our important conquests of 

 animated nature were made — when association with domestic 

 animals was much more intimate than now, animals were 

 selected, as other associates are selected, on the basis of 

 pleasing personal characteristics. 



Study 15. The Fowls of the Farm 



Few observations by a class on wild fowl are possible: 

 hence, this study assumes a few such forms as grouse, bob- 

 whites and pheasants in pens, and available domesticated 

 breeds of the various kinds of poultry. The information 

 obtainable in the pens may be supplemented by exhibits of 

 skins, nests, and eggs, by photographs and lantern slides. 

 Two things are here proposed to be undertaken: 



1. A general comparison of fowl species, wild and tame, 

 as to those qualities that determine availability for domestica- 

 tion; and 



2. A comparison and census of the breeds of the more 

 important kinds of poultry maintained on the farm. 



The program of work will include a visit to at least one pen 

 of each kind (species, not breed) of fowl, with note-taking as 

 indicated below, followed by a more careful examination of 

 the breeds of one or more kinds. 



The record of the first part may consist of an annotated list 

 of all the kinds of fowls studied, with notes on such points as 

 relative size and weight, rate of growth, reproductive capacity, 

 foods and feeding habits, eggs and nesting habits, broods and 

 breeding habits, voice and social habits, weapons and fighting 

 habits, and their general attractiveness or unattractiveness of 



