560 Kev. J. Sibree, Jr., on the 



Katoto, the Tufted Umbrette {Takatra), and the Owl [Vm-on- 

 dblo), are examples/^) 



V. — The Game-Birds. 



The fifth Order of Birds, that of the Galhnse or Game- 

 Birds (Table IV. p. 565), is divided into eight or nine families, 

 four of which have indigenous representatives in Madagascar, 

 viz., the Guinea-fowls, Partridges, Sand-Grouse, and Bustard- 

 Quails; while anotherfamilyofthe Order, that of the Turkeys, 

 has for long been naturalized in the island. There are, how- 

 ever, only five species in these four families, which we shall 

 notice separately as before. 



(1) The Guinea-fowls are represented here by a peculiar 

 species, the Mitred Guinea-fowl, a handsome bird, which is 

 very common in many parts of the island, particularly in the 

 plains bordei'ing the forests. Here it may be seen in com- 

 panies of from twelve to twenty birds, and often in much 

 larger numbers. It is shy and difficult to approach, unless 

 hunted with dogs, so at least says M. Pollen of the Guinea- 

 fowl in the north-west of the island. In the central provinces 

 it is more easily .shot. According to the writer just quoted, 

 the people of the north-western regions catch these birds by 

 forming paths of branches of trees, and at the further end of 

 these they place the traps, towards which they drive the birds. 

 This Guinea-fowl is easily domesticated and becomes very 

 tame, and if not too old its flesh is excellent. Besides the 

 characteristic marking of the feathers with minute white 

 dots on a black ground, this species has a blue caruncle round 

 the eyes. The hen birds are said to be bad mothers, leaving 

 their young ones on the ground. 



The native name of Akdnga, by which this bird is generally 

 known, is said by Mr. Dahle to be one of the few words 

 showing an original African element in the Malagasy language, 

 and is identical with the Swahili name of the bird, an allied 

 species, Numida vullm'ina, being common in some parts 

 of Eastern Africa. A number of proverbs show the way in 

 which this handsomely marked bird has struck the fancy of the 

 Malagasy, two or three of which may be here quoted. Thus, 



