BIRDS. 



495 



his barnyard cousin, is frequently heard in the woods for hours, now near. 

 now far away; for the rival cocks compete in this vocal concert for the 

 favor of the critical liens. I could, however, but rarely get within gun- 

 shot of them ; for they are so shy and so cautious that the slightest rustle 

 disturbs them and stops the concert." 



X.J.v, K.N* 



Fig. 415. — Lady Amherst pheasant (Thavmalea amherstlse). 



The prettily mottled, but harsh-voiced guinea-fowl are all natives of 

 Africa, two species reaching over into Madagascar. Concerning their 

 habits there is but little of interest to be said. 



Not so with the turkeys, the three species of which are American. 

 Every believer in Thanksgiving Day and Christmas has an interest in 

 them; for they, and not the eagle, should be our national bird. Our 

 domesticated turkey is much unlike the wild bird from which it has 



