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Birds. 
THE COMMON COCK. (Gallus domesticus.) 
" While the Cock, with lively din. 
Scatters the rear of darkness thin ; 
And to the stack, or the barn door, 
Stoutly struts his dames before." 
Milton. 
This bird is so well known that it would be needless io 
say much of him. His plumage is various and beautiful, 
his courage very great and proverbial, and his intuitive 
knowledge of the period of sunrise has baffled the most 
scrutinising researches of naturalists. \A hen of a good 
breed, and well taught to fight, he will die rather than 
yield to his adversary. The hen lays a great number of 
eggs, and will hatch as many as thirteen at one sitting ; 
but this is considered the extreme number, being as 
many as she can well cover. When in the secluded 
state of incubation she eats very little; and yet is so 
