THE DOMESTIC COOK. 1938

crescence, but much smaller, and less highly coloured. The
plumage of the cock is always, except in the white breeds,
much more splendid than that of the hen; it is infinitely
varied, and in some specimens very rich and beautiful.
The hen, if left to herself, makes a very rude nest: a hole
scratched in the ground among bushes is all she requires ;
she generally lays from twelve to fifteen eggs, and in the
process of hatching them is a model of patience, as she is of
courage, when watching over the safety of her young brood,
and labouring with untiring assiduity to provide them with
sustenance. Even our Saviour thought this beautiful in-
stance of solicitude not an unworthy simile for his tender
anxiety in the fate of Jerusalem : “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are
sent unto thee, how oftén would I have gathered thy chil-
dren together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under
her wings, and ye would not.”

The forests in many parts of India abound with this
valuable bird, and it is supposed that the race was first
domesticated in the East, and thence extended to the rest .
of the world; indeed, it seems pretty certain that it was in
troduced into Europe from Persia, but having been so long
naturalized it is impossible to trace its progress. The

0