D. S. Newill—Grey and Bed Jungle-Fowl Hybrids 257


possession of a trio of Jungle Fowl, Gallus sonnerati, which I have been

able to procure with the greatest difficulty. It is not that these birds

are not available but they are very hard to capture and die in captivity.

In this connection I have been put to a great deal of trouble and loss,

but I am glad I could send to you birds in which you are interested,

and am quite certain that with the precautions taken they will reach

you safely.”


The next letter received from the Far East was from Balmer,

Lawrie & Company, Ltd., 103 Clive Street, Calcutta, India, which

states : “ Under instructions from the Secretary of the United Pro¬

vinces Poultry Association we have shipped via S.S. Elmbank one crate

containing three wild birds to New York. We enclose herewith bill

of lading. Kindly arrange clearance from steamship and oblige.

Sufficient food for six weeks has been provided, and the chief officer

of the steamship has undertaken feeding during the voyage. Please

acknowledge receipt.”


The above-named S.S. Elmbank arrived in New York on 24th May

and I received the birds two days later. Upon inspection at the rail¬

road station I discovered one female missing, evidently thrown over¬

board during the voyage of two months on the ocean. The other female

was in bad condition, the head badly battered and the bones of the

skull exposed. The male bird apparently in good condition.


These birds were placed in my aviary in which was also placed a

female of the Red Jungle Fowl. I quickly learned that the female

Grey Jungle Fowl was quite pugnacious, both she and the male

fighting the Red Jungle hen. Whereupon I removed the Grey

Jungle hen to another yard, after which the Grey Jungle cock

immediately began courtship with the Red Jungle hen. This female

laid twelve eggs and on 12th July hatched twelve chicks. Eleven of

these hybrids are living at this writing.


I placed in the same yard with this male another hen of the same

species ( Gallus bankiva). This bird laid ten eggs and is now hatching.

I believe all of these eggs to be fertile.


The young cross-bred chicks resemble in plumage pattern the pure

Bankiva chick, leg colour, however, being lighter, and at two weeks

of age showed considerable white in wing feathers.



