130 HISTOHY OF 



fine delicate shape of the one, and the bare head of the other. 

 To be more particular, it is about the size of a common heji, 

 but as it is supported on longer legs, it looks much larger. It 

 has a round back, with a tail turned downwards like a partridge. 

 The head is covered with a kind of casque ; and the whole 

 plumage is black or dark gray, speckled with white spots. It 

 has wattles under the bill, which do not proceed from the lower 

 chap as in cocks, but from the upper, which gives it a very pe- 

 culiar air; while its restless gait and odd chuckling sound distin- 

 guish it sufficiently from all other birds whatever. 



It is well know all over Europe, and even better than with 

 us, as the nations that border on the Mediterranean probably 

 had it before us from those parts of Africa which lay nearest. 

 Accordingly we find it in different countries called by different 

 names, from the place whence they had it. They are by some 

 called the Barhary-hen ; by others, the Tamis bird; and by 

 others, the bird of Numidia.* We have given it the name of 

 that part of Africa from whence, probably it was first brought. 



In many parts of their native country, they are seen in vast 

 flocks together, feeding their young, and leading them in quest 

 of food. All their habits are like those of the poultry kind, 

 nnd they agree in every other respect, except that the male and 

 female are so much alike, that they can hardly be distinguished 

 asunder. The only difference lies in the wattles described 

 above ; which in the cock are of a bluish cast ; in the hen 

 they are more inclining to a red. Their eggs, like their bodies, 

 are speckled ; in our climate, they lay but five or six in a sea- 

 son ; but they are far more prolific in their sultry regions at 

 home. They are kept among us rather for show than use, as 

 iheir flesh is not much esteemed, and as they give a good deal 

 of trouble in rearing. 



• The pintado is the bird formerly known to the ancients under the name 

 of Meleagris or Niimidian FowL Its flesh was much esteemed by the Ro- 

 mans. Among the varieties of this bird are the Crested Pintado and tlie 

 ilitred Pintado. 



