l8 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA AND ASIA, 



isolated wood of this tree, near Panchmarhi in 

 the Denura valley, is occupied by this species, 

 although the gray jungle-fowl (Gallus sonneratii), 

 presently to be noticed, holds all the territory 

 roundabout. The reason for this would be a very 

 interesting subject for inquiry, and no doubt some 

 forest ofificer will be able sooner or later to afford 

 a solution of the problem. The red jungle-fowl 

 is a very hard fighter, and no doubt sal jungle has 

 some special attraction which makes him keep it 

 to himself. In a domesticated state this species 

 is found, as everyone knows, all over the world 

 where it can be got to live, and its endurance of 

 cold is most remarkable considering its tropical 

 origin. 



Many breeds have, of course, been raised from it 

 by the selection of variations in shape and colour, 

 but India seems to possess no particular breed 

 except the fighting Aseel and the long lanky Chit- 

 tagong, the ' ' Malay ' ' of home fanciers. Both 

 of these are characterised by very small combs 

 and wattles and short glossy plumage, which in 

 the cocks often resembles that of the wild bird, 

 but in hens apparently never or very rarely. The 

 Aseel, however, is short and sturdy, not lengthy 

 in make like its relative. 



With regard to the foreign breeds now being 

 imported, I should advise any of my readers who 

 is starting to keep such fowls, to avoid aU the 

 feather-legged and five-toed varieties, such as the 

 Brahma, Cochin, and Dorking, such montrosities 

 of structure sadly handicapping a fowl's useful- 

 ness. In Calcutta there can generally be obtained 

 excellent black China fowls, the ' ' Langshan ' ' 

 of the fancy at home. This is a large bird of some- 



