THE FOWLS OF THE FARM I1Q 
conversation, and playfulness. Contrast with this the pea- 
fowl: itis 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 atleast 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 
