THE GAME-BIRDS AND RAILS 
2 I 
PEACOCK 
Note the perfectly tymmetrical distribution of the “ eyes” in the “ train” 
members known as the Game-breeu is well known, and in the days of cock-fighting large 
sums of money changed hands over the fierce battles waged by rival game-cocks pitted one 
against the other — the game-cock, it should be remarked, being the little-modified descendant 
of the red jungle-cock. 
The modern game-cock is purely a show-bird, breeders having changed the type by 
selecting characters which would render the bird quite unable to hold its own if matched in 
battle with one of the original breed. 
Very different from the wild ancestor is the huge, much-feathered CocillN. This was 
introduced into England, not from Cochin-China, as is popularly supposed, but from Shanghai, 
some fifty years ago. At that time this bird enjoyed the reputation of being wonderfully 
prolific. This is, alas ! no longer a feature of the breed. The show-pen is apparently respon- 
sible for this, attention having been paid rather to 
external appearance than to useful qualities. 
The Plymouth Rock and Dorking are both 
well-known breeds. The former is of American 
origin, made by crossing Cochins with a native breed 
— the Dominique. 
The Black Spanish, Minorcas, Leghorns, 
Andalusians, etc., constitute what are known as 
the Mediterranean breeds. They are noted for their 
great prolificacy. This has been gained by carefully 
breeding from the most productive birds, but with 
the result that the instinct to sit has been lost 
entirely. This is a matter of no consequence, how- 
ever, as when chicks are required there are plenty of 
“broody” hens of other breeds which can be made 
to undertake the duties of foster-mother. 
Photo by L, Midland^ F.Z.S.~\ Finchley 
BACK VIEW OF PEACOCK 
Note the true tail, like a stout fan, supporting the train 
