GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



chickens. They were not at all quarrelsome, and invariably 

 fled when attacked by any other bird, their extraordinary 

 speed and activity taking them out of the way hke a flash. 

 In the summer I had some fiity or sixty young ones of the 

 domestic Guinea-Fowl {N. meleagris) hatched out under 

 hens, and as soon as they were a few weeks old the East 

 Africans adopted them, and took them all to roost high up 

 in a huge elm. I am quite sure they would breed if given 

 freedom on a large farm, and they form a very handsome 

 addition to the poultry-yard with their brilliant blue necks 

 and very erect carriage. 



• I regret to say that the only hen bird I had of N. mitrata 

 was weakly when bought, and finally died of decline ; but I 

 feel sure that vigorous hens would breed freely if allowed 

 to be at liberty. 



Since starting to write my experiences of N. mitrata, I found 

 that the male birds paired with the domestic variety, and I 

 have a number of hybrid chicks. 



Guinea-Fowl have a curious habit of shampooing or mas- 

 saging one another's heads and necks. I have often watched 

 a bird having his wattles and loose skin gently nibbled all 

 over by a friend, while the recipient of these favours stood 

 with half-closed eyes and an irresistibly comical look of intense 

 enjoyment displayed in his attitude. 



89 



