230 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. 



In the Guinea-Hens (^^) harsh and monotonous strain, 

 " Go backy' was repeated again and again, 



had a round groove or depression in it, produced, doubtless, by 

 the weight of the bird pressing it strongly on the perch. 



(39) Order, Galling, (Liim.) Guinea-Hen, Gallina. 



The genus Numida, {Linn*) or Guinea-Hen, consists of four 

 species, distinguished by a strong short bill, the base covered 

 with a carunculate cere receiving the nostrils ; head horned, 

 with a compressed coloured callus; tail short, bending down. 

 The following is the only one which it is necessary to notice : 



The MeleagriSy Guinea-Hen, PintadOy Gallina, Galeny, or 

 Guinea-foicly has double caruncles at the gape, and is without 

 gular fold. The bill is of a reddish horn colour, head blue ; the 

 crown with a conic, compressed, bluish-red protuberance; upper 

 part of the neck bluish ash, almost naked ; lower part fea- 

 thered, verging to a violet blue; body blackish or greyish, with 

 round white spots ; legs grey brown. Two other varieties; one 

 with the breast white, the other having the body entirely wliite; 

 twenty-two inches long ; makes a harsh unpleasant cry, similar 

 to that mentioned in the text ; such sounds it often repeats ; it 

 is restless and turbulent, moving from place to place, and 

 domineering over the whole poultry yard. The male and female 

 much alike; the only difference is, that the wattles which are 

 blue in the former, are inclining to red in the latter ; there is 

 also some difference in the noise which the two sexes frequently 

 make. Eggs many, speckled reddish-brown, considerably 

 smaller than those of the common hen : if this bird be left to 

 itself, it will lay its eggs on the bare ground ; and Is generally 

 in this country a very unfit mother for its own offspring. See 

 the Introduction. Inhabits Africa and America, and is domes- 

 ticated every where. Flesh excellent. 



This genus in many respects resembles the common poultry, 

 like them going in large flocks, and feeding its young by point- 



