Curious facts about cocks

As the beginning of the Year of the Rooster, which according to the Chinese horoscope begins today, the British newspaper Daily Express offers several curious facts about the cocks:

“According to the Chinese lunar calendar, 2017 is the Year of the Fire Cock.

– Depending on the moon cycles, the Chinese lunar year lasts 353 or 355 days. But the year of the rooster will last for 384 days because of the extra month added to make the lunar calendar synchronize with the sun. Its end will be on 16 February 2018.

“The cock is the only bird in the Chinese zodiac.

– The real name of John Wayne Rushter (Cobblestone) Cogburn in Rubble Jay Cogburn.

– In his works, Shakespeare mentions a cock only twice – in Romeo and Juliet and Storm.

– The dancers perform a specific dance accompanied by a characteristic sound to tell about the presence of food. A study has found that hens prefer male specimens that are more active in the sound dance. Perennial ladies also like cocks with larger combs.

– It is believed that the hanging chin of the cocks plays a role in the courtship.

– The mythical basilisk being hatched from a rooster’s egg.