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NATURAL history 
COMMON COCK. 
Of all birds, the Cock seems to be the old- 
est companion of mankind, and to have been 
first reclaimed from the forest, and taken to 
supply the accidental failure of the luxuries 
or necessaries of life. As he has been long- 
est under the care of man, so perhaps he 
exhibits the greatest number of varieties, 
there being scarcely two of this species that 
exactly resemble each other in plumage and 
form. No animal in the world has greater 
courage than the Cock, when opposed to one 
of his own species; and in every part of the 
world, where refinement and polished man- 
ners have not entirely taken place, Cock 
fighting is a principal diversion; but it is 
declining every day; and it is to be hoped 1 
it will in time become only the pastime of 
the lowest and the vulgar. 
