The Crowing of the Jungle Cock

Abstract

IN the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 1890, p. 48, Mr. Bartlett makes the following statement on the subject of the crowing of the jungle fowl: “There can be no doubt that the origin of our domestic fowls must be attributed to the wild jungle fowls of Asia, but none of the known wild species are ever heard to utter the fine loud crow of our domestic cock.” I can recall very distinctly an exception to this statement. When living in Timor, at my hut on the Fatunaba hills, I heard—more than once—the crow of the jungle fowls which used to frequent a bit of very dense scrub not far from our camp. I was first led early one morning to the knowledge of the presence of these birds in my vicinity, by hearing (with more than ordinary satisfaction) a call which was the counterpart of the well-known cadences of the barn-door cock; but it was, if I may so represent it, considerably thinner in volume, more wiry, and higher pitched than his. I hastened after this first chanticleer, and succeeded in getting a perfect sight of and a shot at him, but without securing my victim, deeply to my disappointment, as I can well remember, for it would have been just then a most welcome accession to an empty larder.