in the forests of Guiana; these were
probably feral birds. Dr. Daniell tells me, he believes that fowls have
become wild on the west coast of Equatorial Africa; they may, however, not
be true fowls, but gallinaceous birds belonging to the genus Phasidus. The
old voyager Barbut says that poultry are not natural to Guinea. Capt. W.
Allen ('Narrative of Niger Expedition,' 1848, vol. ii. p. 42) describes
wild fowls on Ilha dos Rollas, an island near St. Thomas's, on the west
coast of Africa: the natives informed him that they had escaped from a
vessel wrecked there many years ago; they were extremely wild, and had "a
cry quite different to that of the domestic fowl," and their appearance was
somewhat changed. Hence it is not a little doubtful, notwithstanding the
statement of the natives, whether these birds really were fowls. That the
fowl has become feral on several islands is certain. Mr. Fry, a very
capable judge, informed Mr. Layard, in a letter, that the fowls which have
run wild on Ascension "had nearly all got back to their primitive colours,
red and black cocks, and smoky-grey hens." But unfortunately we do not know
the colour of the poultry which were turned out. Fowls have become feral on
the Nicobar Islands (Blyth in the 'Indian Field,' 1858, p. 62), and in the
Ladrones (Anson's Voyage). Those found in the Pellew Islands (Crawfurd) are
believed to be feral; and lastly, it is asserted that they have become
feral in New Zealand, but whether this is correct I know not.

[388] Mr. Hewitt, in 'The Poultry Book,' by W. B. Tegetmeier, 1866, p. 248.

[389] 'Journal of Horticulture,' Jan. 14th, 1862, p. 325.

[390] 'Die Huehner und Pfauenzucht.' Ulm, 1827, s. 17. For Mr. Hewitt's
statement with respect to the white Silk fowl, _see_ the 'Poultry Book,' by
W. B. Tegetmeier, 1866, p. 222. I am indebted to Mr. Orton for a letter on
the same subject.

[391] Dixon, 'Ornamental and Domestic Poultry,' pp. 253, 324, 335. For game
fowls, _see_ Ferguson on 'Prize Poultry,' p. 260.

[392] 'Poultry Chronicle,' vol. ii. p. 71.

[393] Dr. Pickering, in his 'Races of Man,' 1850, p. 374, says that the
head and neck of a fowl is carried in a Tribute-procession to Thoutmousis
III. (1445 B.C.); but Mr. Birch of the British Museum doubts whether the
figure can be identified as the head of a fowl. Some caution is necessary
with reference to the absence of figures of the fowl on the ancient
Egyptian monuments, on account of the strong and