276 Farm Poultry 



hens in poultry houses during severe weather, 

 if given an opportunity to do so. Guineas are 

 naturally shy and are easily frightened, although 

 they may become tame with kind and careful 

 treatment. They are not specially prized for the 

 quality of their flesh, although in some parts of 

 the United States young fowls are considered a 

 delicacy. 



PEAFOWLS 



Peafowls are reared in small numbers by those 

 who delight in seeing the most gorgeous plumage 

 of domesticated fowls. They are not reared for 

 their flesh nor for egg production. It is recorded,* 

 however, that in the reign of Henry VI of Eng- 

 land, peacocks were highly esteemed as a deli- 

 cacy. In some respects peafowls are quite as near 

 the wild forms from which they have descended 

 as any species of domesticated fowls. They delight 

 in perching at a great distance from the ground 

 and frequently fly to the roofs of tall farm build- 

 ings. They fly easily and gracefully. 



The male or cock bird is by far the most gor- 

 geous of farm fowls. Peafowls are reared almost 

 wholly on account of the proud and brilliant 

 appearance of the male. The brilliant coloring 

 of the head and neck feathers and his large and 

 beautiful tail, make him a source of delight to 



#Book of Poultry," Wright, p. 531, 



