46 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [cuap. x. 
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 crear: colour. 
With great strength, she is possessed 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 kitehen-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 nume- 
rous 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 killing young 
poultry, took compassion on the orphan ducklings, and Jed 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 ery of alarm, on 
the approach of dog or children, their stepmother came flying 
over bushes and fences in a most furious hurry. Indeed she be- 
came 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 even- 
ing, 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 pugnacious cock at another time 
was rash enough to attack the hawk, and was not only killed, but 
devoured. Frequently, unlucky pigeons’ came within reach of 
her chain, and were also eaten. In consequence of these depre-. 
dations, she is exiled to the walled garden. One day I was 
altering her chain, and she flew away. After flying three or four 
