BIKDS GALLINACEOUS DIAGRAM 4 79 



have been brought here from thence. It is also in the East 

 Indies only that the domestic fowl is found wild. The turkey 

 on the contrary is found in America, and was brought to 

 Europe after the discovery of that country. 



The guinea-fowl was brought from Africa, as its name implies. 

 The domestic fowl is of very great value for the food of man, 

 both for its flesh and eggs, in which a large trade is carried on. 

 There are a great many breeds of domestic fowls which have 

 somewhat different qualities ; some are prized for the delicacy of 

 their flesh ; others are particularly good sitters ; some lay better 

 than the others. But no breed combines all these qualities. 



The chickens hatch after the eggs have been sat upon for 

 three weeks. Thirteen eggs are generally allotted to one hen to 

 hatch. The eggs can be changed, added to, or even replaced 

 by those of another species, the duck for instance ; the hen rears 

 them very well, and is only uneasy when they go into the water, 

 where she cannot follow them. The hen shows extraordinary 

 courage in defending her chickens, even against animals much 

 stronger than herself. 



Pigeons. The pigeons and doves form a family, all the 

 members of which have a great common resemblance. They 

 have a somewhat slender beak, always a strong flight, and feel 

 much mutual attachment, When wild, they 

 build their nest indifferently on the ground, on 

 trees, or in the rocks ; but it is always some- 

 what ill constructed. There are only two eggs, 

 on which the male and female sit in turn. The 

 young are born almost without feathers, and 

 with the eyes still closed, as in cats; the 

 PigeonsT" parents are greatly attached to them, and feed 

 them by disgorging some of the food which remains in their 

 crop. 



Pigeons are reared for food and for the sake of the dung 

 which is collected in dovecotes, and which forms an excellent 

 manure when mixed with other substances, such as earth. 



