THE POULTRY BOOK. 
291 
numbers of these birds were carried into America by the vessels which traded in 
slaves ; but that the Spaniards, instead of attempting to tame them or render 
them domestic, turned them at large into the wild savannahs, where they have 
increased in such numbers that they appear to be native. They are seen in 
vast flocks, and are called by the Spaniards and French maroon pintades — 
maroo7i, or more properly, in modern French, marron, meaning fugitive or 
emancipated. 
‘‘ The Guinea-fowl is kept in India, but, according to Colonel Sykes, is to be 
seen only in a domestic state, and is bred . almost exclusively by European 
gentlemen. It thrives, he adds, as well as in his native country. 
In England, the Guinea-fowl is less generally kept than the turkey, nor does it 
appear to abound in France. In the colder latitudes of Europe this bird is very 
rare, and is seldom, if ever, to be seen in Sweden, Norway, or Northern Kussia. 
It is not noticed by Linnsous in his Fauna Suecica, though he was well acquainted 
with the species. 
Like all the gallinaceous birds, the Guinea-fowl is esteemed for its flesh and its 
eggs, which, though smaller than those of the common fowl, are very excellent and 
numerous, the hen commencing to lay in the month of May, and continuing 
during the entire summer. After the pheasant season, young birds of the year are, 
on the table, by no means unworthy substitutes for that highly-prized game. 
Such birds are acceptable in the London market, and fetch a fair price. The 
Guinea-fowl is of a wild, shy, rambling disposition ; and domesticated as it is, it 
pertinaciously retains its original habits, and is impatient of restraint. It loves to 
wander along hedgerows, over meadows, through clover or cornfields, and amidst 
copses and shrubberies ; hence these birds require careful watching, for the hens 
will lay in secret places, and will sometimes absent themselves entirely from the 
farmyard until they return with a young brood around them. So ingeniously will 
they conceal themselves and their nest, so cautiously leave it and return to it, as 
to elude the searching glance of boys well used to bird-nesting ; but it may always 
be found from the watchful presence of the cock while the hen is laying. There is 
one disadvantage in this, the bird will sit at a late period, and bring forth her brood 
when the season begins to be too cold for the tender chickens. Thq best plan is, 
to contrive that the hens shall lay in a quiet, secluded place, and to give about 
twenty of the earliest eggs to a common hen ready to receive them, who will 
perform the duties of incubation with steadiness. In this way a brood in May or 
June may be easily obtained. The young must receive the same treatment as 
those of the turkey, and equal care. They require a mixture of boiled vegetables, 
with custard, curds, farinaceous food, as grits, barleymeal, &c. ; they should be 
induced to eat as often and as much as they will. In a short time they begin to 
search for insects and their larvic ; and with a little addition to such fare as this, 
and what vegetable matters they pick up, will keep themselves in good condition, 
without cramming or over-feeding. For a week or two before being killed 
for the table, they should have a liberal allowance of grain and meal. 
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