COUKS. 429 



and in certain species entirely disappears ; lastly, their legs 

 are without the murderous spur with which the male is armed. 

 They are also smaller and less vociferous than the male. 



The domestication of this family dates from ante-historic times, 

 so that we can only raise conjectures as to the original country and 

 species from which the numerous Tarieties sprang which we now 

 find spread throughout the world. The species, however, is pro- 

 bahly one of those now living in a wild state in the islands of the 

 Indian Archipelago. The}' maj^ perhaps constitute some of the 

 types which have given birth to our principal domestic races, and 

 which are separated into a number of varieties. 



Whatever may be the opinion adopted, we know that amongst 

 the species indigenous to Asia are the Bankiva Cock ( Gallus 

 Bcmkica, Linn.), which so nearly resembles our village Chanticleer 

 as to be often confused with it ; — the bird, known as Jungle-fowl 

 by Indian sportsmen, inhabits Java, Sumatra, the Philippines, 

 and Hiudostan : it is sometimes called Sonnerat's Cock ( Gallus 

 Somieratii, Latham) ; — the Bronzed Cock [Gallus ceneiis, Temm.), 

 the Fork-tailed Cock [Gallus furcatiis, Temm.), and the Giant 

 Cock, or Kuhn Cock [Gallus giganteus, Jardine), the largest 

 species known. These are considered, not without reason, the 

 founders of our most extensive races. The last mentioned lives 

 both in a wild and domestic state in Java, Sumatra, and India 

 proj^er. The Negro Cock offers a very remarkable case of contrast, 

 for the crest, gills, epidermis, periosteum, and feathers of this 

 species are black, but the flesh is white. The Negro Cock, very 

 largely spread over Belgium and Germany, still lives in freedom 

 in the Indies. All these species inhabit thick forests, and their 

 manners are entii'ely unknown. Consequently, without further 

 delay, we arrive at the description of the Domestic Cock. 



The Cock is thick-set and massive, but without heaviness. His 

 upright and bold walk denotes his pride. Without being an 

 habitual runner, he moves with rapidity, but when driven to use 

 his wings his incapacity reveals itself ; it is with difficulty he raises 

 himself from the ground, as if nature had destined him to live 

 always by the side of man, attached to the earth which 

 feeds them both. The Cock is a perfect model of a sultan ; 

 he attaches an entire seraglio to his train. His love is a 



