264 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



more constant feeding than other chickens, a few hours* 

 abstinence being fatal to them ; and they need also rather 

 more animal food to rear them successfully and keep them 

 in good condition, especially in the winter. The chicks are 

 very strong on their legs, and in fine weather may be 

 allowed to wander with the hen when very young. 



The male birds are quarrelsome, and very apt to beat 

 other fowls. They may be known from the females by the 

 wattles being nearly double the size ; also the hen alone 

 utters the peculiar cry so well known as " Come back ! " 



The flesh of the Guinea-fowl is of exquisite flavour, 

 much like that of the pheasant. The body is very plump 

 and well-proportioned. Like all other finely-flavoured birds, 

 it should never be over-fed or crammed, as is sometimes done. 

 Who would think of cramming a pheasant to make it more 

 " fit for table " ? 



PEA -FOWL. The distinguishing characteristics of this 

 well-known bird are the crest or aigrette on the top of the 

 head, and the peculiar structure of the tail covert feathers. 

 The true tail of the peacock is short and hidden, and what 

 we call the " tail " is, strictly speaking, an excessive develop- 

 ment of the tail coverts, or side feathers, which occasionally 

 have been known to extend more than a yard and a half 

 from their insertions. 



The colour of the ordinary peacock is too well known to 

 need description. White and pied varieties are also bred, 

 but are, in our judgment, far less ornamental. This 

 species, called by naturalists Pavo cristatus, has a crest con- 

 sisting of about two dozen feathers, only webbed at the 

 very tips. 



There is another variety known as the Javan Pea-fowl r 

 or Pavo mnticus. This bird is larger than the common 

 Pea-fowl, the male sometimes measuring more than seven 



