AH Rights Reserved. 
July, 1920. 
BIRD NOTES: 
THE 
JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 
The Helmeted Guinea Fowl. 
By W. Shore Baily. 
Numida cornnta is hardly an aviary bird and it can in fact 
be kept in much the same way as the domesticated species pro- 
vided that its wings are cut, and it is mere or less accustomed 
to its surroundings before it is finally given its Hberty. It is, 
however, a much more handsome bird than the common Galena. 
Its head is adorned with a long helmet, about two in( hes in 
length, which gives it rather a striking appearance. In South 
Africa, where there are seven other species, it is in parts very 
numerous, and it is often kept in captivity. In this Ccuntry 
it is uncommon, but it is a more desirable bird than the common 
species, as it is not so noisy. 
When my birds first arrived they were rather wild, and on 
one occasion when they got out of their enclosure they gave 
the staff a rare achase, easily coming off winners. The cock, in 
fact, was seen the next day some miles away, but it eventually 
found its way back Since then they have got quite tame; the 
hen especially will feed from the hand, and likes being petted. 
The chicks are pretty little things, but are rather delicate. 
The horn makes very little growth until they are six m.onths old. 
Writing of this bird, Mr. Anderson tells us: "that 
" this Guinea-fowl is the commonest game bird in Damara 
" and Great Mamaqua lands, and that it is very common in 
" the lake districts. It is a highly gregarious bird, especially 
" during the dry season, when it is not uncommonly found 
" in flocks of several hundred individuals; and on one occa- 
" sion he saw upwards of a thousand collected in one spot, 
