272 



THE COMMON GUINEA FOWL. 



frequently repeated. The Guinea-Fowl is a restless and clamorous 

 bird. During the night it perches on high places ; and, if disturbed, 

 alarms every animal within hearing, by its unceasing cry. These birds 

 delight in rolling themselves in the dust, for the purpose, as some 

 naturalists have conjectured, of ridding themselves of insects. 



If trained when young, Guinea-Fowls may soon be rendered tama 

 M. Brue informs us, that when he was on the coast of Senegal, he re- 

 ceived as a present from an African princess, two Guinea-Fowls. Both 

 these birds were so familiar, that they would approach the table and 

 cat out of his plate ; and when they had liberty to fly about upon the 

 beach, they always returned to the ship, when the dinner or supper 

 bell rang. 



Jt is even said that the wild birds will sometimes receive food from 



SCTNEA-FOWL. 



Ae hand, almost immediately after they are caught. These delight 

 chiefly in marshy and morassy places, where they subsist almost 

 wholly on insects, worms, and seeds. Guinea-Fowls are found in nearly 

 all the countries of the western part of Africa, from Barbary, south- 

 ward, to the Cape of Good Hope. They are natives likewise of the 

 Islands of France and Bourbon, of Madagascar and Cape de Verd. 



Amongst the Romans they were in great repute for the table ; and, 

 on account of their scarcity, were generally sold for high prices. They 

 are at present much esteemed in this country, their flavour being cou- 

 skiored, by some persons, to resemble that of the Pheasant The eggs 

 ire a very delicate food. 



