P^^r 



The Game'birds and Rails 



407 



rholo htj C. Reiil] 



PliACOCK. 

 Note tlie perfectly syniiiietiical distribution of the "eyes" ia tlie " train 



[IVisJaut; N.B. 



members known as the Game-breed is well known, and in the days of cock-fighting large 

 sums of money changed hands over the fierce battles waged by rival game-cocks pitted one 

 against the other — the game-cock, it should be remarked, being the little-modified descendant 

 of the red jungle-cock. 



The modern game-cock is purely a show-bird, breeders having changed the type by 

 selecting characters which would render the bird quite unable to hold its own if matched in 

 battle with one of the original breed. 



Very different from the wild ancestor is the huge, much-feathered Cochin. This was 

 introduced into England, not from Cochin-China, as is popularly supposed, but from Shanghai, 

 some fifty years ago. At that time this bird enjoyed the reputation of being wonderfully 

 prolific. This is, alas ! no longer a feature of the breed. The show-pen is apparently resi^onsible 

 for this, attention having been paid rather to external 

 appearance than to useful qualities. 



The Plymouth Rock and Dorking are both well- 

 known breeds. The former is of American origin, 

 made by crossing Cochins with a native breed — the 

 Dominique. 



The Black Spanish, Minoecas, Leghokns, Anda- 

 LUSIANS, etc., constitute what are known as the 

 Mediterranean breeds. They are noted for their great 

 jirolificacy. This has been gained by carefully breed- 

 ing from the most productive birds, but with the 

 result that the instinct to sit has been lost entirely. 

 This is a matter of no consequence, however, as 



when chicks are required there are plenty of '■ broody " vimo by l. Maiiand, f.z.s.} iKoi-th FinMcy. 



hens of other breeds which can be made to undertake back view or peacock. 



the duties of foster-mother. Xote tUe true tail, like a stont fan, strpportingthe train. 



