With papier-mâché body, iridescent plumage and tail, articulated head and cast-bronze feet, the open-spring motor and bellows in the body causing the rooster to walk forwards, nod his head and call "cock a doodle doo", ht. 11 in. (28 cm), good working condition. With size 12 steel key and stop/start lever. – The walking and crowing rooster, an early model by Roullet et Decamps, employed a similar mechanism as the firm's "Paon Marchant". Mechanical notes for the automaton were first described in the note book of Ernest Decamps (son-in-law of Jean Roullet), dated 1878. The model appears as No. 576 in the firm's record of moulds. – A rare and attractive automaton, with amusing movements and sound effects! – Provenance: Decamps collection. Accompanied by an original c.1930s catalogue of "Jouets Mécaniques & Automates" by Gaston Decamps.