The Cockatrice reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Cockatrice

A cockatrice is a legendary creature about the size and shape of a dragon or wyvern, but in appearance resembling a giant rooster, with some lizard-like characteristics.

Its reputed magical abilities include turning people to stone by either looking at them (a la the basilisk), touching them, or sometimes breathing on them, like a dragon breathing fire.

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