DUCKS, GEESE AND GUINEAS 125 
under some other name, but now they are often 
served frankly as guinea chickens, for their merits 
have been recognized. 
The meat of old guineas is tough, but that of 
birds a few months old is tender and delicious to a 
degree few people realize. These birds are well 
worth growing for the family table, although they 
may be made decidedly profitable. People who 
have only a little land can purchase eggs, set them 
under a hen or two and dress the young birds as 
they are wanted. By this plan they may be had 
for the table without the necessity of wintering 
breeding stock. Mature guineas rebel at being con- 
fined, although it is quite possible to keep a few ina 
comparatively small yard. However, they do but 
little damage when allowed their freedom, for they 
do not scratch up the garden like ordinary hens, but 
walk sedately up and down the rows of vegetables, 
stopping at frequent intervals to gobble down a 
bug. 
Guinea hens like to make their nests in secret 
places, and if they are yarded, it is well to provide 
piles of brush for their use. When at liberty, the 
location of the nest often may be discovered by 
watching the male, who stands guard close by dur- 
