268 HIS ILL SUCCESS. [CHAP. n. 



deceptive expectation that we can change the inborn 

 nature of things.] I imagine they are not really tender 

 birds, but may have been coddled by the London dealer. 

 Though mostly docile and gentle, they are yet the most 

 obstinate birds in one respect I ever met with, viz., if 

 you wish to drive them anywhere, they will directly 

 tend the other way, right against you, even through 

 your legs ! Indeed, Paddy's pig was a joke to them. 

 It is remarkable, that although so tarne as to feed from 

 the hand, and fly up to my bedroom window (where I 

 have several times detected the cock Guan on my dress- 

 ing-table, attentively examining the brushes and combs), 

 yet when shut in, they exhibit more timidity, and a 

 Guinea-fowl-like restlessness, which vanishes when they 

 are let out. Courage they are by no means deficient in ; 

 and an engagement between one of them and a good- 

 natured old Cock was amusing enough, the Cock being 

 shy of his new customer, and making only half attacks, 

 and the Guan dropping his wings, and sailing round 

 him, giving him a sudden poke or two, and then draw- 

 ing himself up nearly erect, with a kind of ' Who-are- 

 you?' air, and giving at the same time, a shrewd, comi- 

 cal glance sideways, which they are very fond of doing. 

 * * * * 



" I am in a great fix at present about the Guans, as 

 the cock has a kind of attack every other day, that com- 

 pletely puzzles me unless one may call it hydrophobia ! 

 It is not the staggers, but a kind of paroxysm, with 

 temporary weakness in the limbs, and gasping; you 

 would think he was dying every minute, but next day 

 he is as well as ever: this has occurred three times. 

 He is a noble bird, and so thriving in flesh and plumage, 

 which makes it more vexatious. I thought the hen 



