| AVES. 373 
This group is composed of species of wild cocks from several of which 
the domestic poultry is probably derived. They are all natives of India 
and the adjacent islands, frequenting the forests. They are remarkable for 
their pugnacity, especially when questions regarding their females have to 
be settled, and all the species crow in a manner more or less resembling 
the cock of the farmyard. 
It is difficult to determine which of the wild species have been domesti- 
cated, as varieties of the latter occur which resemble several, though natu- 
ralists are apparently quite justified in pointing. out at least two species, 
which are the Malay cock (Gallus giganteus) and the jungle cock (G. 
bankiva). ‘The former is a large and rather clumsy bird, long domes- 
ticated in the islands of Java and Sumatra, and is very probably the 
original stock of all the large and more peaceable birds of the common fow! 
(pl. 95, figs. 10, 11). 
The jungle cock is the forefather of the gamecock, and joint progenitor 
of many and various colored crossbreeds Baltes it and the offspring of 
the Malay cock, and possibly of others. He inhabits continental India, 
and is clothed in fine red and golden orange plumage, much resembling 
that of the well known game birds, though he is considerably smaller. 
This species is yet abundant in the forests and jungles of India, in which 
country he has been domesticated from time immemorial. There are, 
however, no traces of the manner or period in which he was introduced 
into Europe, though known familiarly at the earliest date of recorded his- 
tory, both as a delicacy for the table and for his pugnacious character. 
Cockfighting was carried to a great extent by the Hindoos long prior to 
the invasion of Alexander, but seems originally to have partaken somewhat 
of the character of a religious rite, as did many games. This amusement 
was practised by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and by them transmitted 
to modern times. 
The bronzed cock (G. @neus), the fork-tailed cock (G@. furcatus), and 
Sonnerat’s cock (G. sonneratit), are other species which also inhabit India. 
Sub-fam. 4. Meleagrine, or Turkeys. Head and neck bare, and gene- 
rally hairy and carunculated; bill moderate, strong; wings short; tail 
moderate; tarsi and feet very robust. Size various, frequently large ; 
colors dark. 
This sub-family comprises the turkeys, of which there are two species, 
and the Guinea fowls, of which there are five. 
The common turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (pl. 95, fig. 12), is a native 
of the forests of North America, and was formerly distributed throughout 
the entire country. It has now, however, become extinct or nearly so in 
the States on the Atlantic seaboard, but is still abundant in the west and 
south. The turkey is strictly gregarious, and flocks of several hundreds 
are generally seen together; their movements from place to place are 
entirely performed on foot, and when apprehensive of danger they usually 
trust to their legs rather than resort to flight. It is said, however, that they 
are capable of flying a short distance with great swiftness, and that when 
their progress is impeded by a river, after a considerable delay and exami 
ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPADIA.— VOL, II. 37 577 
