§8 WILD SPOUTS Of TH£ HtGHLAMDS chap, 



where I found her in the possession of a shepherd's boy, who fed 

 her wholly on trout. For the first year the bird was of a dark 

 brown colour above, with longitudinal spots on the feathers of 

 her breast. On changing her plumage during the second autumn 

 of her existence, she became of a most beautiful dark slate 

 colour above, and the spots on her breast turned into cross- 

 bars, every feather being barred with black ; her throat became 

 of a beautiful cream colour. With great strength, she is pos- 

 sessed of the most determined courage, and will attack any 

 person, or. dog whom she takes a dislike to. Her poultry-killing 

 propensities oblige me to keep her chained in the kitchen-garden, 

 where no other bird, except a tame owl, resides, The owl she 

 appears to tolerate with great good-nature, and even allows him 

 to carry off any remains of pigeon or crow that she leaves after 

 she has satisfied her hunger. One day an unfortunate duck 

 strayed within reach of her chain, and was immediately pounced 

 on and devoured, leaving a numerous family of ducklings to 

 mourn her loss. 



A curious stepmother took them in hand, however, A 

 Guinea-fowl, whose mate had been condemned to death for kill- 

 ing young poultry, took compassion on the orphan ducklings, 

 and led them about, calling them, and tending them with as 

 much or more care than their deceased parent. It was a most 

 singular sight to see the Guinea-fowl quite changing her natural 

 habits, and walking about followed by a brood of young ducks. 

 She never left them for a moment, excepting when she retired 

 to her nest to lay ; and even then, if the ducks uttered any cry 

 of alarm, on the approach of dog or children, their stepmother 

 came flying over bushes and fences in a most furious hurry. 

 Indeed she became quite the terror of the children, running 

 after them and pecking their legs if they came too near to her 

 adopted brood ; although at other times she was rather a wild 

 and shy bird. The ducks had a habit of hunting for worms 

 in the dusk of the evening, and the poor Guinea-hen, much 

 against her inclination and natural propensities, thought it 

 necessary always to accompany them. Frequently tired out, she 

 used to fly up to roost, but always kept her eye on the young 

 ducks, and on the least alarm came bustling down to protect them 

 if she thought it necessary, at any hour of the night A pugna- 

 cious cock at another time was rash enough to attack the hawk, 



