Poultry Keeping 307 



N. Y. Zoological Society 



FIG. 248. Canada geese, the wild variety once common in North America. 

 These are raised in domestication chiefly for use as decoys an unworthy pur- 

 pose, since our wild geese are already in danger of extinction. 



producers. They are all kept chiefly for their flesh 

 and feathers, or for ornament. The Canada goose, the 

 common wild variety, is domesticated in some localities 

 (Figs. 247 and 248). 



Guinea fowls are native to Africa and Madagascar. Guinea 

 Although the domestic varieties have been in captivity ** 

 for centuries, they still retain their wild nature. They 

 thrive only on the farm, where the^have plenty of room 

 to forage and where they can hide their nests and hatch 

 their young in secret. Like wild birds, they will desert 

 their nests if these have been disturbed. Being so wild 

 and alert, they add to the safety of the poultry yard at 

 night by setting up a loud clatter if any one intrudes. 

 The common breeds are the gray (or pearl) guinea and 

 the white guinea. The flesh of guinea fowls makes a 

 good substitute for wild game, and their small, dark- 



