Guinea Fowls 295 



are reared on many farms. The rearing of guineas 

 in the southern part of the United States is of far 

 greater importance than it is in the North. Where 

 they are reared in the largest numbers the young 

 fowls are highly esteemed for food. 



Under ordinary farm conditions the domes- 



Fio. 99. A guinea hen (one-sixth size). 



ticated guineas can hardly be called profitable 

 farm fowls. They lay fairly well during the sum- 

 mer time if given a wide range, but, owing to the 

 disposition of the hen to hide her nest, the eggs 

 are often entirely lost. Many instances are known 

 in which the hen has secreted her nest and continued 

 to lay until it became well filled, when it would be 



