COCK OF THE WOOD 



legs are much longer, and the body is shaped like that of 

 the partridge. The colour is usually of a dark grey, 

 beautifully spotted with small specks of white ; and a 

 black ring encircles the neck. The head is reddish, and 

 crowned with a brown horny protuberance ; the space 

 under the eyes is blue ; and a red fleshy appendage pro- 

 ceeds from the upper chap, somewhat resembling the 

 wattles of a cock. 



These birds are partially known in a domestic state all 

 over Europe, but are most common on the coasts of the 

 Mediterranean. Africa appears to be their native country ; 

 and they were probably introduced into England from 

 Guinea. 



They are naturally gregarious, active, sprightly, and 

 of a restless disposition ; and never can be so entirely 

 domesticated as the common gallinaceous kind. They 

 run very swiftly, in the manner of the partridge ; but 

 their wings, being short, are ill-adapted for flight. The 

 note is sharp and disagreeable ; and a propensity to quarrel 

 seems natural to the kind. 



The Guinea-hen, or (as it is frequently called) the pin- 

 tada, is so common in America, that many have supposed 

 it to be a native of the New World ; but this is certainly 

 a mistake. There is little doubt that it was imported into 

 that country in 1508, from Guinea, together with some 

 cargoes of negroes. The Spaniards never attempted to 

 render it domestic ; and it is now multiplied so prodi- 

 giously as to stock the savannahs, or wild meadows, and 

 otherwise to appear like an indigenous animal. 



THE COCK OF THE WOOD. 



This bird is common to Scandinavia, Germany, France, 

 the Alps, and the Highlands of Scotland : in these last, 

 however, it is rare. The male sometimes weighs fourteen 

 pounds : the female is much less, and the sexes differ 

 likewise much in colour. During winter the cock of the 

 wood resides in the darkest and most retired parts of the 

 forest ; but in summer ventures down from its retreats, to 



