378 RASORES. 



The ARGUS PHEASANT, Argus giganteus, (Lat. gigantic,) as 

 large as a Turkey, found in Sumatra, and the South-East- 

 ern parts of Asia. The "wings, the secondaries of which are 

 three times as long as the primary quills, are painted and ocel- 

 lated (having little eyes) in a manner which defies description." 

 This bird derives its name from the shepherd Argus, fabled to 

 have an hundred eyes. 



THE GUINEA FOWLS, or PINTADOS, Numida meleagris, were ori- 

 ginally brought from Africa, and in the swamps and pestilential 

 regions of the Western portion of that Continent, they are found 

 in immense flocks. 



Dr. Livingston says, " the woods were literally alive with 

 them," that his " guides roasted them on skewers in the off-hand 

 fashion which is common among these people. They think it is 

 waste of time to strip the bird of its feathers before roasting it, as 

 the fire itself performs that operation." The flesh of these birds 

 is considered a great delicacy, as it is tender and well flavored. 

 Even in their wild state, they are not good flyers ; indeed, they 

 make more use of their legs than their wings. Their speed on 

 the ground is surprising ; but when chased for a while, they be- 

 come fatigued, and sit still until they are picked up. Guinea- 

 Hens are easily domesticated, and have been widely distributed. 

 They are frequently seen in the poultry-yard where they are 

 noted for their peculiar cries and unusual gait. During night, 

 they always perch in high situations, or on trees. In Jamaica 

 where these Hens do much mischief to some of the crops, they 

 have resumed their wild habits, and are shot like other game. 



DOMESTIC POULTRY BIRDS. 



Gallinacea, (Lat. Gallus, a cock ; Gallina, a hen.) 



The Domestic Fowls are too well known to require a length- 

 ened description. Some of the varieties are the following, viz : 



The GAME FOWL, some years ago much sought after for use 

 in the cruel sport of cock-fighting, which, in some places, is still 

 continued. 



The COCHIN CHINA FOWL, (a variety of the Java Fowl.) 

 enormously large, and by some regarded as the origin of the 

 Barn-door Fowl; though others suppose the Jungle Fowl, of 

 India, to be the parent stock. The principal advantage con- 

 nected with raising the Cochin China breed, seems to be that the 

 chickens, from their large size, are ready for market earlier than 

 those of the ordinary fowl. 



The BANTAMS, small, but very courageous, sometimes even 



