8S WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [CHAP. x. 



became of a most beautiful dark slate colour above, and the spots 

 on her breast turned into cross-bars, every feather being barred 

 with black ; her throat became of a beautiful cream colour. 

 With great strength, she is possessed of the most determined 

 courage, and will attack any person or dog whom she takes a 

 dislike to. Her poultry-killing propensities oblige me to keep 

 her chained in the kitchen-garden, where no other bird, except a 

 tame owl, resides. The owl she appears to tolerate with great 

 good-nature, and even allows him to carry off any remains of 

 pigeon or crow that she leaves after she has satisfied her hunger. 

 One day an unfortunate duck strayed within reach of her chain, 

 and was immediately pounced on and devoured, leaving a nume- 

 rous family of ducklings to mourn her loss. 



A curious stepmother took them in hand, however. A Guinea- 

 fowl, whose mate had been condemned to death for killing young 

 poultry, took compassion on the orphan ducklings, and led them 

 about, calling them, and tending them with as much or more 

 care than their deceased parent. It was a most singular sight 

 to see the Guinea-fowl quite changing her natural habits, and 

 walking about followed by a brood of young ducks. She never 

 left them fora moment, excepting when she retired to her nest to 

 lay ; and even then, if the ducks uttered any cry of alarm, on 

 the approach of dog or children, their stepmother came flying 

 over bushes and fences in a most furious hurry. Indeed she be- 

 came quite the terror of the children, running after them and 

 pecking their legs if they came too near to her adopted brood ; 

 although at other times she was rather a wild and shy bird. The 

 ducks had a habit of hunting for worms in the dusk of the even- 

 ing, and the poor Guinea-hen, much against her inclination and 

 natural propensities, thought it necessary always to accompany 

 them. Frequently tired out, she used to fly up to roost, but 

 always kept her eye on the young ducks, and on the least alarm 

 came bustling down to protect them if she thought it necessary, 

 at any hour of the night. A pugnacious cock at another time 

 was rash enough to attack the hawk, and was not only killed, but 

 devoured. Frequently, unlucky pigeons came within reach of 

 her chain, and were also eaten. In consequence of these depre- 

 dations, she is exiled to the walled garden. One day I was 

 altering her chain, and she flew away. After flying three or four 



