CHAPTER VI. 



THE BIRDS UNDER DOMESTICATION. 



T T would hardly be supposed that the birds under 

 domestication could inspire much poetical feeling, or 

 indeed that they could furnish the dramatist with much 

 imagery. Those, however, who may entertain this view, on 

 reading the works of Shakespeare, must admit that in his 

 case at least they are mistaken. The Cock, the Peacock, 

 the Turkey, the Pigeon, the Goose, the Duck and the Swan, 

 are all noticed in their turn, and indeed, in the ordinary 

 list of poultry, hardly a species has escaped mention. In 

 the succeeding chapter, when treating of the game-birds, 

 we shall notice the Pheasant, Partridge, and Quail, which 

 are occasionally domesticated. For the present, it will be 

 as well to confine our attention to the birds above 

 mentioned. 



" The early village cock " (Richard III. Act v. Sc. 3), 

 " the trumpet to the morn " (Hamlet, Act i. Sc. 1), is often 



