28 
GALLINIDtE. 
Mathews, Esq., of Spring Vale (Down), informed me, that about fifty 
of these birds kept there, flew about in company every evening before 
roosting, and then settled for the night on old ash trees, which were the 
highest about the place. On a field of barley being reaped, a nest of 
these birds was discovered, containing between two and three 
hundred eggs. 
Holywood House, Sept. 1847. It is amusing to see a guinea hen and 
common hen here, jointly taking care of a few young guinea fowl 
brought out by the former. The hen had not lost any chickens lately, 
but a few months ago performed the maternal duty to a brood of youDg 
ducks, which she incubated. The mother proper and foster mother 
are the best of friends in taking care of the brood, but the latter is 
much the more attentive to them, by pointing out food, &c. She also 
protects the young birds under her wings during the night, while their 
own mother perches on high. 
The Tukkey {Meleagris gallopavo) was introduced from North 
America, where it is still found in a wild state. 
Common Fowl. Gallus domesticus. Mr. Poole remarks : — “ It is 
well known that magpies are very destructive neighbours to the fowl 
yard. Of this a game cock belonging to a neighbour seemed to be 
aware, as during one season he killed four of these birds, which in- 
cautiously ventured within the fowl house where he roosted.” 
Though perhaps not a rare instance in the case of this species, it 
may be worth noticing, that a fine cock kept in our own yard, on more 
than one occasion assaulted an old cook who nowise meddled with him, 
though she did sometimes lay hold of some of the members of his 
seraglio. She was once indisposed for a few days after his attack, on 
which occasion, according to her own version, he had struck her 
‘‘ severely with his spurs between the ribs.” 
In April 1842, the following paragraph appeared in a Dublin news- 
paper : — On Sunday se’nnight, a child named Martha Collins, living 
at Harold’s-cross, was sent by her mother to a livery-stable yard in the 
neighbourhood, kept by a Mr. Smith. On entering the. yard, a cock 
flew at the child, and struck her three or four times in the face and 
other parts of the head, cutting her with each blow. A woman, also 
named Collins, resident in the yard, hearing the screams of the little 
sufferer, ran to her assistance and rescued her. On the Tuesday 
following, it was considered necessary to have medical aid, and the 
