CHAPTER XVI. 

 Companions of the Hen. 



THE GUINEA FOWL.— There are two varieties of Guineas, Pearl and 

 White. There is no difference in their characteristics save in their color. 

 The Pearl variety should be bluish-gray in color, each feather covered with 

 white spots resembling pearls, hence its name. It should be free from any 

 white feathers in any part of the plumage. The neck is covered with black 

 hairs near the head, and between that and the feathers is a soft down, ol 

 a light brown color, that glistens in the sun. On the top of the head is 

 a horny spike that turns backward. The bill and legs are brown. The 

 white variety should be a pure white in plumage, with a yellow orange 

 or yellowish-white bill and legs, this being the only difference between 

 them and the Pearl variety. Some birds of the Pearl variety have white 

 feathers in the breast and wings, but are mongrels, being a cross between 

 the two varieties. They are great foragers, and will pick up enough bugs 

 and injurious insects more than to pay for themselves. They do not stand 

 confinement well, and will not lay more than one-half as many eggs as il 

 allowed to run at large. If fed regularly morning and night they will 

 always be on hand for their share. They desire to roost in trees near the 

 barn at night, and are most excellent guards either night or day ; anything 

 out of the usual astir, they will set up a great cry. They roost so high 

 that they are out of the way of thieves or wild animals. In their wild 

 state they will fight and drive other fowls, but if used kindly as othei 

 poultry, they will stay and feed with other fowls without showing much of 

 this pugnacious habit. The Guinea>hen is a Spring and Summer layer, and 

 lays from 90 to 120 eggs yearly. They like a secluded place to lay in. 

 When their nests are found, leave two or three eggs, or they will leave 

 the nest for another place. Better set their eggs under hens to hatch, as 

 the Guinea does not sit until too late in this latitude to have the young get 

 grown before Winter. Besides, if raised by common hens, they can be 

 taken care of better, for they must be fed often, as the young eat but little 

 at a time. Fifteen to 17 eggs can be set under a good-sized hen, and with 

 good care all can be raised. Their eggs are small, but make up in quality 

 what is lost in size. Their meat is excellent, and has a gamy flavor. The 

 cocks can be distinguished by their screeching noise, also by the spike on 

 their heads being larger, and by holding their heads higher. Their ear 

 tubes are larger, and generally curl in a sort of semi-circle toward the 

 beak. The hens make a noise that sounds like "too quick," and seldom 

 screech. 



