TURKEY— GUINEA-FOWL 81 



feel proud of his achievement, for it is only hy the 

 shrewdest strategy that he can approach within shoot- 

 ing distance. 



Closely related to the preceding form, although dif- 

 fering in some minor particulars, is the Eastern Wild 

 Turkey, which, in consequence of much hunting, is be- 

 coming very rare. The colour of this bird is some- 

 what darker, in general, than that of the Mexican 

 variety, and it lacks the light colour on the upper sur- 

 face of the tail. It is a finer and trimmer bird than 

 the domesticated species, but in captivity would no 

 doubt soon acquire the over-developed and heavy form 

 of the other. Another very beautiful variety is the 

 Honduras Turkey. 



The Guinea-fowl is a native of Africa. It is 

 easily domesticated, and is commonly seen in our 

 farmyards. This bird is almost reptilian in certain 

 characters. In walking, the back is much arched, the 

 head dropped low, almost touching the ground, and 

 at a distance a flock of them looks not unlike quickly 

 moving tortoises. See Plate 27, 'Fig. 154. 



The colour pattern of the plumage is quite wonder- 

 ful. The body tone is a delicate grey, and each 

 feather is covered with numerous pure white dots, 

 making a most complete and intricate design. The 

 naked skin around the eye is white, and the wattle at 

 the base of the bill and the under-throat are a bright 

 red. The Guinea-fowl is a very restless bird, con- 

 tinually moving about and uttering its monotonous 

 cry — one that is apt to "get on the nerves" when 

 listened to for hours at a time. On account of their 

 alertness. Guineas are often kept by farmers as guar- 



