294 BRITISH BIRDS. 
fprinlded with round white fpots of different fizes, 
refembling pearls— hence it has been called the 
Pearled Hen ; its wings are fhort, and its tail pen- 
dulous, like that of the Partridge ; its legs are of 
a dark colour. 
This fpecies, #hich is now very common in this 
country, was originally brought from Africa, from 
whence it has been diffufed over every part of Eu- 
rope, the Weft Indies, and America : It formed 
a part of the Roman banquets, and is now much 
efteemed as a delicacy, efpecially the young birds. 
The female lays a great number of eggs, which 
Ihe frequently fecretes till fhe has produced her 
young brood : The egg is fmaller than that of a 
common Hen, and of a rounder Ihape ; it is very 
delicious eating. The Pintado is a reftlefs and 
very clamorous bird; it has a harfh, creaking 
note, which is very grating and unpleafant ; it 
fcrapes the ground like the Hen, and rolls in the 
dull to free itfelf from infe&s ; during the night it 
perches on high places ; if difturbed, it alarms 
every thing within hearing by its unceafmg cry. 
|n its natural ftate of freedom it is faid to prefer 
mrfhy places. 
