60 
GUINEA-FOWL SHOOTING. 
guinea-fowl, of which they procure great numbers; 
taking care to watch for them late in the evening 
at early dawn, when they are congregated in flocks 
on the trees, and when one shot will perhaps 
secure three or more birds. 
To an English sportsman, guinea-fowl shooting is full 
of amusement ; the only drawback is the heat of the cli- 
mate ; but even at Annobon we enjoyed it very much. 
As soon as the sun has fairly risen above the hori- 
zon, the birds, which had previously been perching in 
the woods, come out into the long grass to enjoy the 
subdued heat, and obtain insects. They are generally 
in coveys of from six to twelve, and until the after- 
noon, lie very close, so that it is often possible to get 
within a tolerable distance of them. On first rising, 
they get up with a whirr, louder that that of black- 
cock, so startling as almost to unnerve the sportsman 
in taking aim ; but if successful, how pleased is he 
to see one, perhaps two or three of these noble birds 
fall, the gray and spotted feathers floating lightly 
in the air. The plumage is richer, and the birds 
themselves larger, than the domesticated guinea-fowl ; 
and certainly the flavour of those we shot at Anno- 
bon far exceeded all English game. Several of our 
invalids who were so weak, that they could scarce 
touch food, declared that the very odour of the roast 
guinea-fowl acted as a tonic, and restored the ap- 
petite. 
November Uh . — We made up a party and landed 
