Guinea-Fowls. 139 



CHAPTER XXL 



GUINEA-FOWLS. 



THE Guinea-fowl, Gallina, or Pintado (Numida Me- 

 leagris), is the true meleagris of the ancients, a term 

 generically applied by Belon, Aldrovandus, and Gesner to 

 the turkey, and now retained, although the error is 

 acknowledged, in order to prevent confusion. It is a 

 native of Africa, where it is extensively distributed. They 

 associate in large flocks and frequent open glades, the 

 borders of forests, and banks of rivers, which offer abundant 

 supplies of grain, berries, and insects, in quest of which 

 they wander during the day, and collect together at 

 evening, and roost in clusters on the branches of trees or 

 ^irubs. Several other wild species are known, some of 

 which are remarkable for their beauty ; but the common 

 Guinea-fowl is the only one domesticated in Europe. The 

 Guinea-fowl is about twenty-two inches long, and from 

 standing high on its legs, and having loose, full plumage, 

 appears to be larger than it really is, for when plucked it 

 does not weigh more than an ordinary Dorking. It is 

 very plump and well-proportioned. The Guinea-fowl 

 is not bred so much as the turkey in England or France, 

 is very rare in the northern parts of Europe, and in 

 India is bred almost exclusively by Europeans, although 

 it thrives as well there as in its native country. It " is 

 turbulent and restless," says Mr. Dickson, " continually 

 moving from place to place, and domineering over the 

 whole poultry-yard, boldly attacking even the fiercest 

 turkey cock, and keeping all in alarm by its petulant 

 pugnacity " ; and the males, although without spurs, can 

 inflict serious injury on other poultry with their short, hard 

 beaks. The Guinea-fowls make very little use of their 

 wings, and if forced to take to flight, fly but a short 



