PHASlANlDffi 



GUtTEEA 



235 



Mr. Alexander gives the following account of it: — " By nature 

 this bird is far more retiring than the Helmeted Guinea-fowl and 

 possesses even a greater aptitude for running, seldom making use of 

 flight. We were fortunate enough to obtain two specimens of this 

 Species near the river, above Zumbo, while on another occasion, 

 when pitching our tent for the night we heard a flock close to the 



Pig. 72. — Head of Guttera edouardi. 



water and not far off another one, but of the Helmeted species 

 {Numida mitrata), enabhng us to observe to a nicety the difference 

 between the cries of the two species. The call of the former, other- 

 wise the same as the latter, was varied now and again by a 

 tremulous whistle towards nightfall and kept up long after night 

 had set in. 



" The Zambesi natives look upon this bird with a certain amount 

 of superstition. Nothing would induce them to eat it, and they 

 told us that its flesh was poisonous." 



