The cock (rooster) has the intelligence to tell time and so knows when to crow. Just before it crows, it spreads its wings and strikes itself. Some say that cock's limbs are destroyed if they are mixed with liquid gold.

The capon is a cock that has been castrated; this is done so the bird will grow faster, but then it is only useful for eating.

Lions are frightened of a white cock.

The cock is most often illustrated crowing with its head thrown back. Two birds are sometimes shown fighting. The story of the lion being afraid of the cock is shown in some manuscripts.