This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 Excerpt: ...in Europe. It is about the size of the common hen, but standing high upon its legs gives it the appearance of a larger size. The back is round, with the tail turned downwards like the partridge. It is an active, restless, and courageous bird, and will even attack the turkey, although so much above its size. The guinea ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 Excerpt: ...in Europe. It is about the size of the common hen, but standing high upon its legs gives it the appearance of a larger size. The back is round, with the tail turned downwards like the partridge. It is an active, restless, and courageous bird, and will even attack the turkey, although so much above its size. The guinea-fowls assimilate perfectly with the common species in habits and in kinds of food; but have this peculiarity, that the cocks and hens are so nearly alike, that it is difficult to distinguish them. There is sometimes, but not invariably, a distinction of colour, in certain parts, between the cock and hen. They have also a peculiar gait and cry, or chuckling. The head is covered with a kind of casque, with wattles under the bill, and the whole plumage is either black or dark grey, speckled with regular and uniform white spots. The pintado is generally supposed to be a native of Guinea, whence its additional name; but it is in equal plenty in America. In those countries, it perches on trees; and, in the wild state, makes its nest in the holes of the palm-tree. It is gregarious, and often found in large flocks. Like the peacock, it may be said to be universally domesticated. Although they always bring a good price in the market, it is but seldom kept by farmers, on account of the intractable and wild nature of the bird. Unlike other birds, the hens give no notice of their setting or laying, and require to be strictly watched; but even with the utmost vigilance they often defy the strictest search, and succeed in concealing their nests at a distance from home. At times, if shut up in a dark place, they may take to a nest that has been prepared for them; but, in general, they prefer laying in the fields. If they do lay where it is inconvenient for t...
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