ON NATURAL HISTORY. 34? 



I think that I have found out a reason why the 

 eggs of the Guinea-fowl are so much harder than 

 the eggs of any other birds of the gallinaceous tribe. 

 The guinea-fowl is found in large quantities in 

 Upper and Lower Guinea, where snakes abound, 

 and, probably other animals, who would destroy 

 their eggs. These are laid on the ground, and in 

 unusual numbers. The shells of the eggs are so 

 hard, that snakes cannot easily break them. They, 

 probably, carry a few away, but there are so many 

 of them, that this circumstance cannot materially 

 lessen the numbers of these useful birds. The 

 guinea-fowl, also, is peculiarly cautious in conceal- 

 ing its nest, which is made in the thickest bushes 

 or tufts of grass, having generally two runs or pas- 

 sages to it. This is a foresight given to the bird 

 which must be the means of preserving the eggs, 

 as well as themselves, from predatory animals ; 

 so considerate is Nature. 



At the great fair, at Novgorod, in Russia, many 

 Kirguis horses are brought for sale. The Marquis 

 de Custine, who was there at the time, says, that 

 these animals shew the greatest affection for each 

 other. As long as they remain together they are 

 quiet, but when one of them is sold, he has to be 

 cast, and forcibly dragged, with cords, out of the 

 enclosure, where he is confined. His companions 

 then never cease to endeavour to escape. They 



