THE RED COW 



when they are walking and when they are flying; 

 and their idea of a nice, quiet time seems to be to 

 lie down in some spot where they are sheltered from 

 the wind by a clump of weeds or something of the 

 sort, and try to outdo each other in the range and 

 volume of their cries. When we start eating these 

 guinea fowl I am going to dissect one to find out 

 what its vocal cords are made of. I don't think they 

 could possibly make such noises without metal con- 

 trivances of some kind that can be rasped together 

 and banged and thumped on. Perhaps I'll discover 

 a new metal that would be valuable in making phono- 

 graphs, and be able to organise a company to mine 

 it out of the guinea fowl. Then I'll sell stock to 

 the farmers. Judging by their noises there are great 

 and unknown possibilities in these creatures. And 

 yet I have heard people say they rather liked hav- 

 ing them around because they keep up such a con- 

 stant clatter that they keep one from getting lone- 

 some. It strikes me that the person who would not 

 rather be alone than have a flock of guinea fowl 

 for company must have a bad conscience. 



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