44" FintadcL 



size of the common hen, but standing high 

 upon its legs, gives it the appearance of a 

 larger size. The back is round, with the 

 tail turned downwards like the partridge. 

 It is an active, restless, and courageous 

 bird, and will even attack the turkey, al- 

 though so much above its size. The Gui- 

 nea fowls assimilate perfectly with the com- 

 mon species, in habits and in kinds of food; 

 but have this peculiarity, that the cocks and 

 hens are so nearly alike, it is difficult to 

 distinguish them. They have also a pecu- 

 liar gait and cry, or chuckling. The head 

 is covered w^ith a kind of casque, with 

 wattles under the bill, and the whole plu- 

 mage is either black or dark grey, speck- 

 led with regular and uniform white spots. 

 The pintada is generally supposed to be a 

 native of Guinea, whence its additional 

 name ; but it is in equal plenty in America. 

 In those countries it perches on trees, and 

 in the wild state, builds its nest in the 

 holes of the palm-tree. It is gregarious, 

 and often found in large flocks. 



