DUCKS, GEESE AND GUINEAS 125 



under some other name, but now they are often 

 served frankly as guinea chickens, for their merits 

 have been recognized. 



The meat of old guineas is tough, but that of 

 birds a few months old is tender and delicious to a 

 degree few people realize. These birds are well 

 worth growing for the family table, although they 

 may be made decidedly profitable. People who 

 have only a little land can purchase eggs, set them 

 under a hen or two and dress the young birds as 

 they are wanted. By this plan they may be had 

 for the table without the necessity of wintering 

 breeding stock. Mature guineas rebel at being con- 

 fined, although it is quite possible to keep a few in a 

 comparatively small yard. However, they do but 

 little damage when allowed their freedom, for they 

 do not scratch up the garden like ordinary hens, but 

 walk sedately up and down the rows of vegetables, 

 stopping at frequent intervals to gobble down a 

 bug. 



Guinea hens like to make their nests in secret 

 places, and if they are yarded, it is well to provide 

 piles of brush for their use. When at liberty, the 

 location of the nest often may be discovered by 

 watching the mak, who stands guard close by dur- 



