BRITISH BIRDS. 
279 
and his whole demeanour befpeaks boldnefs and 
freedom; the feathers on his neck are long, and 
fall gracefully down upon his body, which is thick, 
firm, and com pad ; his tail is long, and forms a 
beautiful arch behind, which gives a grace to all his 
motions ; his legs are ftrong, and are armed with 
fharp fpurs, with which he defends himfelf and at- 
tacks his adverfary. When furrounded by his fe- 
males, his whole afped is full of animation ; he al- 
lows of no competitor, but on the approach of a 
rival he rufties forward to inftant combat, and 
either drives him from the field, or perifhes in the 
attempt. The Cock is very attentive to his fe- 
males, hardly ever lofing fight of them ; he leads, 
defends, and cherifhes them, colleds them toge- 
ther when they ftraggle, and feems to eat unwil- 
lingly till he fees them feeding around him ; when 
he lofes them he utters his griefs, and from the 
different inflexions of his voice, and the various 
fignificant geftures which he makes, one would be 
led to conclude that it is a fpecies of language 
which ferves to communicate his fentiments. The 
fecundity of the hen is great ; file lays generally 
two eggs in three days, and continues to lay 
through the great eft part of the year, except during 
the time of moulting, which lafts about two months. 
After having laid about twenty-five or thirty eggs, 
file prepares for the painful talk of incubation, and 
gives the moft certain indications of her wants by 
T 4 
