GUINEA FOWL. 221 



birds, which occasionally present a very magnificent appear- 

 ance. The white variety is most delicate and difficult to rear 

 of all, but the dark Cambridge takes most prizes, and usually 

 attains the greatest size. In early editions of this work we 

 expressed the hope that English stock might be improved by 

 crossing with the much larger American bronze turkey, con- 

 taining chiefly wild blood. This had not then been done ; but 

 long ere this repeated importations have been made of this 

 noble strain, and the advantages have been even greater than we 

 had expected. The average size of the Birmingham prize birds 

 has not only been greatly increased, but the hardiness has 

 been even more benefited ; and there are now probably no 

 prize English strains which are not at least half American 

 blood. The magnificent plumage of the American breed is 

 another point in its favour. The heaviest recorded American 

 weight is 45 Ibs. 



The magnificent Honduras, or ocellated turkey, has unfor- 

 tunately never been successfully domesticated. It breeds 

 freely in confinement, but appears to require a tropical climate. 



GUINEA-FOWL. This bird, called also the Gallina and 

 Pintado, mates in pairs, and an equal number of males and 

 females must therefore be provided to prevent disappointment. 

 There appear to be ten or twelve wild varieties, but only one 

 has been domesticated in this country. 



To commence breeding Guinea-fowls, it is needful to pro- 

 cure some eggs and set them under a common hen ; for if old 

 birds be purchased they will wander off for miles as soon as 

 they are set at liberty, and never return ; indeed, no fowl gives 

 so much trouble from its wandering habits. If hatched in the 

 poultry-yard, however, and regularly fed, they will remain ; but 

 must always have one meal regularly at night, or they will 

 scarcely ever roost at home. Nothing, however, will persuade 

 them to sleep iinlhe fowl-house, and they usually roost in the 

 lower branches of a tree. 



