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THE 



P I N T A D A, o R G U I N E A - H E N, 



N fome meafure unites the chara<5beriftics of the phcafant and the tur- 

 key. Has the delicate fhape of one, and the bare head of the other; 

 has been by Pliny called humped, which, though it is not, it is round- 

 backed. Is about the fize of a common hen, but having longer legs, 

 looks much larger. Has a round back, tail turned downwards. The 

 head covered with a kind of cafque; the plumage black or dark grey, 

 pretty regularly fpcckled with white fpots not unlike pearls j has wattles 

 under the bill, which do not proceed from the lower chap (as in cocks), 

 but from the upper, which gives it a peculiar air; while its reftlefs gaic 

 and odd chuckling found, often repeated, diftinguifh it from all other 

 birds. 



By fome is called the Barbary-hen, by others, the Tamis bird, and 

 by others, the bird of Numidia. We have named it from that part of 

 Africa, whence probably it was firft brought to us. 



In their native country, are feen in vail flocks in queftof food. Their 

 habits are like thofe of the poultry-kind. The male and female are k> 

 alike, that they can hardly be diftinguiflied. The only difference lies 

 in the wattles, which in the cock are bluilh j in the hen, more inclining 

 tored. Their eggs are fpeckled: in our climate, they lay but five or 

 fix in a feafon : but are far more prolific at home, where they will lay a 

 hundred and fifty by proper treatment. They are kept among us rather for 

 fhew, as their fleih is little efteemed, and as they are troublefome to rear. 



There are many varieties ; fome quite white, fome with red combs, 

 fomebluifh; fome with white bands on the breaft. Is a quarrelfome 

 bird, of a ftrong bill, and weak head. Thofe of St. Domingo often 

 frequent the marfhes. 



Mr. Buffon thinks they rather refemble upon the whole the partridge 

 than the phealant. Mod authors affirm that they little regard their 

 brood. They live on grain and infefts. This bird being African, has 

 had many names: formerly fome Mahometans fold them very dear to the 

 Chriftians, under the name of the Jerufalem bird ; but the fraud being 

 difcovered, thefe refold them to other good Muflulmen at an extrava- 

 gant rate, under the title of Mecca hens. 



THE 



