GUINEA-FOWL. 



213 



females. Tlic eggs, from eight to fourteen in number, are buff spotted witli lirown. 

 It is a rather handsome -bird, witli a bhick throat, back ashy-gray varied with bhick, 

 and the under surface of tiie body white mottled with brown. The female is without 

 the black throat, but has this jjart fulvous white varied with blackish spots. 



The great family Piiasiaxiu.e is the most important of the GalllniE, Avhether we 

 consider the number, variety, and beauty of the species of which it is composed, or 

 their great value as food-producers for the human race. It contains between, eighty 



Fig. 100. — A*umi</a(Ti«r«/o,crc'sic<l ijuiiieii-fuwl, aud X.pitc/uram, huliutjlud Giuuoa-fowl. 



and ninety species, some of which rank witli the most gorgeously plumaged creatures 

 to be found in the el.ass of birds. Although many have been the arrangements pro- 

 posed for the members of this family, as to the number both of the sub-families and 

 genera, some writers consitlering that certain species should constitute separate fami- 

 lies, yet following the latest work devoted to these birds, the Phasianidas may be 

 diviiled into eight suli-fainilics and alxuit ciiihteen genera. 



The sub-family, Numidina-, contains the Guinea-fowls, consisting of those with crests, 



