228 



THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



CBEBTED GUINEA-FOWL. 



that is, the hen only utters the well-known and 

 everlasting cry, or clamor, of "Come back." 

 The note, or wail, for it is mournful, of the 

 male bird is totally different ; he has somewhat 

 larger wattles than the hen, and runs on tip-toe 

 with a mincing gait, which the hen never imi- 

 tates ; but her " Come back" cry is the only un- 

 mistakable mark of distinction. 



Of all the tenants of our poultry-yard none 

 produce chickens so pretty and interesting, when 

 first hatched, as the Guinea-fowl. Their orange- 

 red beaks and legs, their zebra-striped down, 

 and their extreme sprightliness, render them 

 most peculiarly attractive. They are so strong 

 and active, when first hatched, as to appear not 

 to require the attention really necessary to rear 

 them. Almost as soon as they are dry from 

 the moisture of the egg, they will peck each 

 other's toes, as if supposing them to be worms, 

 will scramble with each other for a worm, and 

 will domineer over any little chicken that may 

 happen to have been hatched in the same clutch 

 with themselves. No one, who did not know, 

 would guess, from their appearance, of what 

 species of bird they were the offspring. 



The chicks require feeding as soon as they 

 are dried after escaping from the shell, and 

 should never be without a supply of food after- 



ward until tltey are of a size permitting them to 

 have their liberty. 



Under a shed in a warm corner of the garden, 

 with a southern aspect, is the best place for the 

 coop under which the mother is to be confined ; 

 for cold winds and rain are very destructive to 

 them. In the garden, the chicks find that large 

 amount of insect food which is so promotive of 

 their growth and health. In addition, they 

 should have eggs boiled hard, and chopped very 

 fine, mixed with Indian meal, oat-meal, and bar- 

 ley meal, millet, and curd, all separately, and 

 on different days, for the sake of change of diet. 

 Change of food is one great means of promoting 

 the health and growth of all poultry. Pure 

 clean water, in shallow vessels, should be kept 

 constantly before them. In fact, the whole man- 

 agement of both young and old may be precise- 

 ly the same as that of turkeys. 



By their continued clamor and watchful na- 

 ture they are useful in protecting the other poul- 

 try from the hovering hawks for which reason, 

 if no other, a few should always be kept in the 

 poultry-yard. 



THE CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL. 



The Crested Guinea-fowl is less in size than 

 the common species just described ; the head 



