402 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



for the beauty of its plumage and the extraordinary length of its 

 tail— it is said that the exportation of this bird is severely interdicted ; 

 and, lastly, the beautiful Lady Amherst's Pheasant, so called because 

 her ladyship brought the first living specimens to Europe. 



The Argus (Argus giganteus, Plate XX.) a bird with magnificent 

 plumage, which inhabits the forests of Java and Sumatra, takes its 

 place beside the Pheasants, from which it only differs in having the 

 tarsi longer and unprovided with spurs, and by the extraordinary 

 development of the secondary feathers of the wings in the male. 

 The tail is large and round, and the two middle feathers are extremely 

 long and straight. When seen as it struts round the female, spread- 

 ing its wings and tail, this bird presents to the eye of the spectator 

 two splendid bronze-coloured fans, upon which are sprinkled a pro- 

 fusion of ocellated markings much resembling eyes ; it owes its name 

 of Argus to these spots. In a state of quiescence the wings are folded 

 on the sides, and attract little attention. Only in the male bird is 

 this gorgeous display of colouring to be found. The Argus is very 

 timid ; thus its habits are little known. 



The'general characteristics of Domestic Poultry ( Gallus, Fig. 155) 

 are as follows : — A middling-sized, curved, and strong beak ; head 

 surmounted by a fleshy, red, and denticulated crest, the lower jaw 

 furnished with two hanging gills, equally red and fleshy ; rather long 

 tarsi, armed with sharp spurs ; short, concave, and obtuse wings ; 

 tectiform tail, arched and falling in plumes, with very developed 

 medium feathers ; brilliant plumage, with metallic reflections. This 

 description applies exclusively to male birds. Hens are not gifted 

 with these exterior advantages; their plumage is generally dull and 

 unattractive, their straight and slightly-raised tails are limited to an 

 ordinary proportion ; their crest is reduced to the most simple ex- 

 crescence, and in certain species entirely disappears ; lastly, their legs 

 are without the spur with which the male is armed. 



Whatever may be the opinion adopted as to the origin of the 

 Domestic Fowl, we know that amongst the species indigenous to Asia 

 are the Bankiva race (Gallus Bankivd), which so nearly resembles our 

 village chanticleer as to be often confused with it ; the Jungle Fowl 

 ( Gallus Sonneratt), inhabiting Java, Sumatra, and Hindostan ; the 

 Bronzed Cock (Gallus qneus); the Forked-tailed Cock (Gallics furcatus); 

 and the Giant Cock or Kulm Cock, 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 proper. 



The Negro Cock offers a very remarkable case of contrast to the 



