338 BRITISH BIRDS. 



the tail pendulous, or pointing downwards ; its legs 

 are of a dark colour. 



This species, which is now very common with us, 

 was originally from Africa, whence it has been dif- 

 fused over every part of Europe, the West Indies, 

 and America; it formed part of the Roman ban- 

 quets, and is still much esteemed as a delicacy, 

 especially when young. The female lays a great 

 number of eggs, which she frequently secretes till 

 she has produced her young brood; the egg is 

 smaller than that of a Common Hen, of a rounder 

 shape, and the shell much thicker; it is very de- 

 licious eating. 



The Pintado is a restless, clamorous bird, with a 

 harsh creaking note, which is very grating and un- 

 pleasant, resembling the sound of a rusty hinge, 

 and an often repeated call like "come back, conic 

 back, come back:" it scrapes the ground like the 

 Hen, and rolls in the dust to free itself from in- 

 sects. During the night it roosts on high places ; 

 and if disturbed alarms every thing within hearing 

 by its unceasing cry. In its natural state of free- 

 dom it is said to prefer marshy places. 



