DOMESTIC COCK. 



209 



this is accomplished by means of ovens purposely 

 constructed, consisting of a low arched apartment 

 of clay : two rows of shelves are formed, and the 

 eggs are placed on these in such a manner as not 

 to touch each other : they are slightly moved five 

 or six times every twenty-four hours. All pos- 

 sible care is taken to diffuse the heat equally 

 throughout; and there is but one aperture, just 

 large enough to admit a man stooping. During 

 the first eight days the heat is rendered great ; but 

 during the last eight it is gradually diminished, 

 till at length, when the young brood are ready to 

 come forth, it is reduced almost to the state of 

 the natural atmosphere. It is supposed that nearly 

 one hundred millions of these animals are an-nually 

 reared by this process, the heat of which is gene- 

 rated by layers of dung. 



In a domestic state the fecundity of the female 

 is^ very great; she generally lays two eggs in 

 three days, and continues to do so upwards often 

 months : after having laid from twenty-five to 

 thirty eggs, she prepares for the tedious process of 

 incubation ; during which time she is so assiduous 

 in her employment, that she appears to forget the 

 necessary supplies of food and drink. In about 

 three weeks the young brood burst from their 

 confinement, and the mother attends them with 

 the greatest assiduity, and becomes very bold, and 

 will attack any animal that attempts to annoy her 

 young. 



The Cock is very attentive to his females, hardly 

 ever losing sight of them : he leads, defends, and 

 v. xr. p. I. 14 



