MEMOIR OF PLINY. 
61 
and vnderstanding of glorie ; they loue to be praised, 
and are proud in their kind. Moreoiier, they are 
astronomers, and know tlie course of the stars ; they 
diuide the day by their crowing, from three houres 
to three houres ; when the sun goeth to rest, they 
go to roust, and like sentinels they keepe the reliefe 
of the fourth watch in the camp ; they will not suf- 
fer the sun to rise and steale upon us, but they giue 
us warning of it ; and they foretell their crowing 
likewise by clapping their sides with their wings. 
They are commanders and rulers of their own kind, 
be they hens or other cocks ; and in what house so- 
euer they be, they will be masters and kings ouer 
them. This soueraignty is gotten by plain fight one 
with another, as if they knew that naturally they 
had spurs, as weapons, given them about their heeles 
to try the quarrell ; and many times the combat is so 
sharp and hot, that they kill one another ere .they 
giue ouer. But if one of them happen to be con- 
queror, presently vpon his vieforie he croweth and 
himselfe soundeth the triumph. He that is beaten 
makes no words, nor croweth at all, but hideth his 
head in silence ; and yet neuerthelesse it goeth 
against his stomacke to yeeld the gantlet and give 
the bucklers. And not only these cocks of game, 
but the very common sort of the dunghill, are as 
proud and highminded ; ye shal see them to mount 
stately, carying their neck bolt vpright, with a 
combe on their head like the crest of a soldier’s hel- 
met. And there is not a bird besides himself that 
