12 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



grounds, very little in the way of food escaping their 

 notice. At such times they have an amusing way of 

 ruffling their feathers and chasing each other. They 

 are great runners, and most difficult to flush ; when 

 they do rise it is with a great deal of noise and fuss ; 

 the flight is straight, and they are very easy birds to 

 shoot. Pursued by dogs, they seem to lose their heads 

 and then take refuge in the nearest large trees, from 

 which they show considerable disinclination to move. 

 I have, in fact, seen a single dog, by running backwards 

 and forwards barking from one to the other, keep guinea- 

 fowl treed in half a dozen places at the same time. 



Their call is a raucous " ka-a-a-k, kak, kak, kak," 

 which is instantly recognizable when it has once been 

 heard. 



They domesticate readily. Mr. Sanderson used to 

 have a great number about his farm, but, though so 

 tame that they would even come into the house after 

 food, the commencement of the breeding season saw 

 their departure to the bush, whence they would not 

 return for several months. 



Probably few creatures have a larger number of enemies, 

 so conspicuous does their congregation in flocks, and 

 their large size, render them. By day a bird of prey, 

 sailing above in the blue, constantly excites the utmost 

 terror and consternation amongst guinea-fowls in the 

 open, and causes them at once, with much cackling, 

 to scuttle for the nearest shelter. By night every tree- 

 climbing creature, from the leopard downwards, takes 

 its share of toll, while all the host of other predatory 

 beasts are ever on the alert to seize their opportunity. 

 Civilized man with his gun, and savage man with his 

 snares, exact at all times a heavy tribute ; but in spite 

 of it all, given favourable summers, with plenty of food 



