THE GUINEA FOWL. 177 



became reconciled to confinement, in spite of its extra 

 diet. The only plan, therefore, is to keep them in 

 high condition during the winter, by liberal hand-feed^ 

 ing. The best practice is not to kill them with the 

 knife, like other poultry, but to dislocate their necks, 

 leaving the blood in them to remedy the dryness ot 

 their flesh, which is the great fault an epicure would 

 find with them. They should also remain in the lar- 

 der as long as possible before being cooked. It was 

 formerly the fashion for farmers' wives and daughters 

 to make tippets and muffs of the smaller feathers, 

 which much resemble chinchilli fur in appearance, 

 and were both elegant and useful. 



This bird is no great favorite with poultry keepers, 

 in general, but is one of those unfortunate beings, 

 which, from having been occasionally guilty of now 

 and then a trifling fault, has acquired a much worse 

 reputation than it really deserves. Notwithstanding 

 this, it is useful, ornamental, and interesting during 

 life, and a desirable addition to the table, if properly 

 dressed, when dead. 



