THE GUINEA FOWL. 171 



alone uses the call note " come back," " come back," 

 accenting the second syllable strongly, from which 

 they are often called " come backs." The cock has 

 only the harsh, shrill cry of alarm, which, however, is 

 also common to the female. 



PAIRING. 



THERE is one circumstance, in regard to the habits 

 of the Guinea cock, which may not generally be 

 known ; that is, he is monogamous, or having one 

 wife only, pairing with his mate, like a partridge, or 

 pigeon, and remaining faithful to her, (perhaps with 

 one or two trifling peccadilloes,) so long as they con- 

 tinue to live together. It is generally supposed that 

 he, like the common cock, is pleased with a plurality 

 of wives ; and the supposition is acted on with bad 

 practical effect. In the case where a Guinea cock 

 and two hens are kept, (a usual number,) it will be 

 found, on close observation, that though the three keep 

 together so as to form one " pack," according to their 

 original instinct, yet that the cock and one hen will 

 be unkind and stingy to the other unfortunate female, 

 keep her at a certain distance, merely suffering her 

 society, and making her feel that she is with them 

 only on sufferance. The neglected hen will lay eggs, 

 in appearance, like those of the other, but not so many, 

 probably, in the same nest. If they are to be eaten, 

 all well and good ; but if a brood is wanted and the 

 eggs of the despised one chance to be taken for the 

 purpose of hatching, the result is disappointment and 

 addled eggs. If the produce of the favorite, or rather 

 the lawful wife, are selected, at the end of the month, 

 you have so many strong chicks ; if a mixture of eggs 

 come to hand, the hatch is in proportion Therefore, 

 let all those who wish to succeed with Guinea fowls, 

 match their birds as strictly as the couples in a 

 country dance. The best way to commence keeping 

 them is, to procure a sitting of eggs from some friend, 

 on whom you can depend, for their freshness : and 



