196 



ON THE CHANGE OF 



The result of my subsequent inquiries are, that 

 many persons have noticed the circumstance of old 

 domestic hens beginning to crow when they get 

 very old, and likewise that their feathers are apt to 

 change in colour. These changes have generally 

 been considered as a signal of its being full time for 

 killing such fowls. 



I therefore regard it as an established law of Na- 

 ture, as certain in its results as any other, that al- 

 most every domestic hen-fowl would make advances 

 at least, to assume the cock's plumage, if kept to an 

 advanced period of life, when such changes general- 

 ly occur. 



I have reason to think, that, in some hens, this 

 change of plumage would be very decided, whilst 

 in others it might be but imperfect, depending 

 perhaps upon the season of moulting and other cir- 

 cumstances. Let the change be ever so complete* 

 and the resemblance of the female's plumage to that 

 of the male ever so close, the more straight beak 

 of the female would at all times distinguish her from 

 the cock, which has its beak more arched, with the 

 upper mandible more hooked over the under. The 

 annexed drawing, (PL XI.) which has been executed 

 with great fidelity and care, will satisfactorily illus- 

 trate the appearance of the stuffed hen in my pos- 

 session, with the cock's plumage, arched feathers in 

 the tail, spurs, &c. The comb and wattles were cut 

 off by the owner, previously to the death of the bird, 

 as I have already stated. 



