A GUIDE FOR KEEPERS OF POULTRY 185 
green feed averaged only 90 eggs each. As these hens 
were 5 years old this is a very good showing, the hens 
having green feed laying a little more than 25 per cent 
more eggs than those not having the green feed. 
GRIT.—Grit is absolutely necessary to the health of 
fowls. There has been some dispute concerning the use 
fowls make of grit. The larger number of investigators 
believe it is used solely to grind hard grains after they 
have entered the gizzard, but many breeders think the 
grit furnishes material for feathers, giving them gloss 
and hardiness. Grit may be any hard material except 
metals. Coarse sand, fine gravel, crushed granite, broken 
earthenware or even broken glass may be used for this 
purpose. Young chicks should be given coarse sand or 
regular chick grit as soon as feeding begins, as they will 
need it from their first meal. 
GUINEA FOWLS.—Guinea fowls seem to have been 
known to the ancient Romans who called them Meleagris, 
but it is doubtful whether the guinea fowls of ancient 
times were the same variety that we now know as domes- 
tic birds, which have never given up all of their wild 
traits. The Meleagris of Rome may have been a variety 
of the same species common to eastern Africa, or it may 
have been the variety now known as the Vulturine 
Guinea fowl, which is only seen in the largest collections 
in zodlogical gardens or private collections. We know of 
but one pair in this country, that being owned by Homer 
Davenport, the artist. The guinea fowl of our barnyards 
is identical in color and shape with a variety common to 
western Africa—the Guinea Coast of slave hunter days. 
The domestic fowl! is slightly larger than the wild one, 
a difference common where wild animals or birds are 
brought into domestication. 
