PoULTKY. 



137 



II. THE GUINEA FOWL. 



"There is no doubt," Wingfield says, "from the description 

 given by ColumeJla and Varro, that the Guinea fowl was 

 reared on the farms of the Romans, and that it was first made 

 known to them during their wars in Africa." They have 

 hardly found the favor among poultry keepers that their merits 

 would warrant. They are prolific layers of excellent eggs, and 

 as table birds are by no means to be despised. They are 

 shy, and love to make their nests in dark, obscure places, far 



Fig. 41. 



THE GUINEA FOWL. 



from home; for which reason their eggs are generally p 1 need 

 under a common hen to be hatched and fostered. They give 

 no notice of laying or sitting. 



A brood of Guinea fowls is an excellent guard. They love 

 roosting in the trees; and at night, if any footstep disturb them, 

 their loud cries are sure to give notice to the farmer that a 

 trespass is committing. 



The Guinea fowl is delicate eating, and is in fine season about 



