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ORNITHOLOGY. 



Variety, Qalliis tcildticus, nobis. 



The Cock domesticated in the Philippine Islands, and, as was ascer- 

 tained by the naturalists of the Exploring Expedition in the Vincennes 

 and Peacock, in the Island of Tahiti also, is the nearest approach 

 to the Jungle Cock of India [Gallus Bankiva), of any of the numerous 

 domesticated varieties that have come under our notice. It appears, 

 in fact, to be quite unmixed with any other species, and differs only 

 from the parent bird in being of larger size and in having the comb 

 larger and more deeply serrated. All the"colors are very nearly abso- 

 lutely identical. 



In the collection of the Expedition we find a well-characterized 

 specimen from Tahiti, and in the collection of the Philadelphia 

 Academy, another, which was received in a collection of birds from 

 the Philippine Islands, recently presented by Mr. William W. Wood, 

 of Manilla, long an energetic and most valuable member. These two 

 specimens are almost precisely identical with each other, and show 

 the slight remove from the Gallus Bankiva, to which we allude. We 

 regard it as very probable that the same variety inhabits other islands, 

 possibly coincident with the diffusion of the Malay race. 



The fact which appears from Mr. Peale's memoranda given below, 

 that this Cock has again become wild in Tahiti, is of high interest. 

 If retaining in its wild state, the marks which we now consider as 

 indicating a domesticated variety only, its claims to be considered as 

 a distinct species would be an interesting and somewhat novel pro- 

 blem. 



The specimens before us are quite different from the domesticated 

 variety known in this country, amongst fanciers as " the Malay." 

 Under usual circumstances, this bird would probably be regarded as a 

 distinct species. 



We introduce with much satisfaction the following interesting notes 

 on this Cock by Mr. Peale : 



" Fowls are found wild in the unfrequented parts of the Island of 

 Tahiti, which appear to be specifically the same with those held in a 

 state of domestication by the natives at the time of their discovery by 

 Europeans, and continued to the present day. They are less subject 

 to variations of plumage than the domesticated fowls, and are said to 

 retain a wild spirit which is not easily subdued. The young hatched 

 from the eggs of wild hens take to the woods as soon as they are old 



