The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-18
M D N w o N E N
 A ND T HIN G s

The common fowl which makes up the largest class Of domestic poultry is supposed to have originated in western Asia, Darwin believing all domestic fowls to have sprung from a single species. the jungIe-cock (Gal- Jus bankiva). which is still found in the jungles of India in the wild state
 Fowl, term originally used in the sense that bird now is, but ex- cept in composition, as sea fowl. wild fowl, and the like, is now practically used to designate the otherwise nameless species which struts around our yards, gathers round our barn doors, or stocks our poultry houses, the type of the genus Gallus Of orni- biologists.
 To write the true story of poultry would be to set down the history of the race, for fowls are the oldest of our domesticated animals, and it is long cry from the red jungle fowl of Darwin, the parent stock of the domestic breeds to the nearly 100 standard varieties which are now well known in the poultry world, and embrace the mammoth Brahma, weighing 12 pounds or more, down to the diminutive Banta. weighing 20 ounces
 
 It would be a marvellous tale of mans ability by cross-breeding. to change types and improve on wild stock Take, for example. the mere matter of feathers and what a trans formation from the Darwinian jun gle cock, resembling in plumage what is commonly called among poultry fanciers. as the Black breasted game" breed. and the brilliantly span gled Hamburg, and the sombre Or pington; the long tail of the Yoko- hama and the cushion tail of the Cochin; the clean, close feathering of the Indian game, and the abund- ant fluffy feathering of the Asiatics; the smooth shank of the Plymouth Rock and the feathered shank of the Langshan.
 Also take stock of the great va riety in plumage both in color and in form, the spangled, laced, penciled, striped, barred, or solid colored feath- CTS ragged in the frizzles and downy in the silky; and not only this, but note the varieties of fowls with eyes of varying color from black, to pearl, bay, or gray; and then examine the combs, and you'll find fowls with rose combs. leaf comb, single or pea have been produced within the his tory of man from a single or at most few wild species of jungle fowl and perhaps you will have d better idea of the value and worth of chicken study.
 It is because more than 100 varie- ties now breed true with potency that is remarkable and that 1t is yet possible to originate still new varie- ties which makes the breeding of fowls such fascinating pursuit for those who have found out just how plastic in the hands of artists fowls are, are seized with the fever to ex- pertinent for themselves and bring forth some new variety which will make a sensation at some show either for beauty of form, brilliancy of color, or ability to deliver the eggs or furnish the meat
 There are some specialists who think that Darwin erred in limiting the domestic stock from the single species. the Gallus bankiwa, holding that many varieties of common fowl species and their crosses. The claim has been fairly well established that four well marked species have been discovered I have taken a good deal of pains to try and get at the truth. but find the more authorities I con- suit the greater becomes the confu- sion. think, however, that all that we need concern ourselves about is the fact that centuries back jungle cock, through cross breeding, was the father bird of an improved species of fowls.
 And so. when you walk down the aisle of a poultry show and stand in the presence of the Brahmas, Lang shans. and Cochins from Asia. es- teemed especially for meat; the Dom- inques, Leghorns, Minorcas arsl other Mediterranean breeds treasured for their egg; or perhaps light urcn the Plymouth Rocks. Rhode Island Reds and other American utility chickens. just take off your hat in memory of the jungle cock of Darwin, which flew antamed in the wilds of India. ana slsA express gratitude to the long Itae os poulEy fanciers who by patiehet soos hin and changed him 50 cs4ntpsetsiy Is to improve on
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