GUINEAS 203 



Varieties. The only change that has taken place in the 

 guinea in domestication is the production of color varieties. 

 White sports from the original variety, which is called the Pearl 

 Guinea, were developed as a distinct variety. Crosses of White 

 and Pearl Guineas produced birds with white on the neck, the 

 breast, and the under part of the body. These are called Pied 

 Guineas, but are not regarded as a distinct variety. Birds with 

 the original white markings but with the color very much lighter 

 and sometimes of a decidedly reddish tinge have also been pro- 

 duced by crossing. These are not considered a distinct variety, 

 but are sometimes exhibited as such under the name of " Lav- 

 ender Guineas." Some of the older works on poultry describe 

 the Self-Colored Guinea, a gray bird without white spots, and the 

 Netted Guinea, in which the original colors are reversed. The 

 author has never seen these varieties, nor has he found any 

 mention of them in the works of later writers. 



Place in domestication. The guinea is as eccentric in nature 

 and habits as it is unique in appearance. It is an ill-tempered 

 bird, very pugnacious, and persistently annoys any other birds 

 with which it comes in contact. While inclined to be shy of man 

 and to resent his control, it likes to establish itself between wild 

 and domestic conditions, where it is independent yet enjoys the 

 safety from its enemies that proximity to the habitations of man 

 affords. The hens are very prolific layers. This characteristic 

 is said to be as well developed in the wild as in the domestic 

 stock. Although they lay so well, they are not usually con- 

 sidered desirable for egg production, because the eggs are small 

 and it is hard to keep the birds under such control that the eggs 

 are easily secured. The flesh and skin of the guinea are quite 

 dark in color. The dressed carcass is not at all attractive in 

 appearance, but the meat is very good. Many people prefer it 

 to the flesh of the fowl. 



The guinea is not really a domestic bird. It is possible to 

 keep a few in confinement and to rear the young with other 



