Study of Plumage of the Four Species of the Genus Gallus

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Abstract
The plumages of the 4 spp. of junglefowl were compared. The plumage of varius cocks was distinct in form. The cocks of the other 3 spp. resembled each other in form and color, but sonneratii cocks have the most specialized plumage. The hens of the 4 spp. resembled each other closely, some with certain characteristics not possessed by others. The sequence of plumages was studied in two species. After the down plumage, both species acquire a juvenal plumage, then an immature plumage, and finally a definitive adult plumage. Body feathers as well as flight and tail feathers are replaced at the same time. A study of the cocks and hens of the interspecific hybrids gallus-sonneratii and gallus-varius brought out some interesting aspects of the inheritance of plumage charac-teristics. The eclipse plumage of sonneratii and interspecific hybrid gallus-sonneratii cocks was also investigated. Only the feathers of the neck are affected. The ability to undergo eclipse had dominant inheritance. Castration of hybrids had no immediate or prolonged effect on the assumption of the eclipse feather in the neck region. Estrogen implantations did not prevent molting of neck hackles. Hybrid and sonneratii hens also underwent a double molt of the neck feathers at the same time that the cocks wereundergoingeclipse.

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