This bird is rather larger than the common species. Bill, irides, and
legs red; the upper part of the head is red-brown; greyish on the
forehead; chin and throat white, encircled with black; over each eye a
band of white; fore part and sides of the neck cinereous, spotted with
black; back, wings, and rump, grey-brown; breast pale ash-colour; belly
rufous; sides marked with linear streaks of black, white, and orange;
the tail composed of sixteen feathers of a rufous-colour, except the six
middle ones, which are more or less grey-brown.
The habits of this species differ somewhat from the common partridge.
This frequently perches on a tree, and will breed in confinement, which
the other is never known to do.
Mr. Daniel says that they are now plentiful near Oxford, the Marquis of
Hertford having imported many thousand eggs, which were hatched under
hens, and liberated; and so early as 1777, he says he saw a covey,
consisting of fourteen of these birds, several of which he shot; many
coveys may be found in the neighbourhood of Ipswich, on preserved
manors, where they seem to prefer the waste heathy ground to
corn-fields, the favourite haunts of the common species.
It is a curious fact, that the Guernsey partridge should be so much
changed in its nature by passing the British Channel from Picardy to
Kent, not above the third of a degree in difference of latitude, and
yet, prolific as they are on the south side of the Channel, they become
less inclined to propagation, even in the same sort of soil, in the
north, which has rendered every exertion to naturalise them to any
extent ineffectual.
This species is very plentiful in Spain and Portugal, frequenting the
vineyards, especially in winter. Bechstein informs us that they have
been found in Austria and Bohemia, where, however, they are, as with us,
very rare in a wild state. Woody and mountainous countries, he adds,
seem to please them more than the plains. Wheat and corn of all sorts,
with the leaves of several plants, and insects in turn, furnish them
with their food; they never become so familiar as the quail, but
sufficiently so to breed in the aviary.
Why this should be called Guernsey partridge we cannot imagine, since we
are credibly informed it is very rare in that island. The common species
breed there, but are scarce; whether this ever bred there is uncertain,
though they are known to breed in the island of Jersey. It is also found
in various parts of Asia and Africa, and is called by the name of the
Red-legged Partridge.—_Montagu._
GUINEA-HEN, _s._ A small Indian hen.
The Pintada, or Guinea Hen, has been said to unite the character and
properties of the pheasant and the turkey. 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, it is difficult to distinguish them. 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 pintada 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 a 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.
There is sometimes, but not invariably, a distinction of colour in
certain parts, between the cock and hen pintada; the manner and gait of
the cock, however, soon distinguish him. However long domesticated,
these birds retain some part of their original wild habits, and will
stray in search of a place in which to drop their eggs, without any
apparent solicitude as to their security. They lay an abundance of eggs,
smaller than those of the common hen, speckled, resembling wild, rather
than common, eggs. It sometimes happens that they are everlasting
layers, in which case, and indeed generally, it is most profitable to
hatch pintadas under a common hen, which will cover an additional number
of those small eggs. The chicks are extremely tender, and should not be
hatched too early in the spring; a sudden change of the wind in March,
to the north-east, has destroyed many a brood of them.—_Moubray._
GUINEA-PIG, _s._ A small animal with a pig’s snout.
GULF, _s._ A bay, an opening into land; an abyss, an immeasurable
depth; a whirlpool; a sucking eddy.
GULL (_Larus canus_, LINN.), _s._ A sea bird.
This species weighs fifteen or sixteen ounces; length about seventeen
inches; bill yellow; irides hazel. The head, neck, tail, and under parts
of the body, white; the back, scapulars, and wing coverts,
ash-colour—the former tipped with white; the primary quills black; the
two or three first have a spot of white across the ends, but the tips
are black—the rest are tipped with white; the secondaries, like the
back, tipped with white; legs dull white, or tinged with green.
This is one of the most plentiful species found on our coast. They breed
upon the ledges of the rocks close to the sea-shore, sometimes not far
above the water.
The eggs are two or three in number, of a dull olive-brown, blotched
with dusky, the size of a small hen’s. When disturbed they are
exceedingly clamorous, and not much alarmed by being shot at. They are
frequently seen in winter, at a considerable distance from the coast,
and in severe weather they flock with the rooks. They follow the
plough for the sake of the larvæ of the chaffer (_Scarabæus
melolontha_), and of worms. The young are brown, mottled with white,
the tail having a brown bar near the end; the white commences in the
second year, and the spots on the wing and the bar on the tail
gradually disappear.—_Montagu._
GULLET, _s._ The throat, the meat-pipe.
GUM, _s._ A vegetable substance, differing from a resin in being
more viscid, and dissolving in aqueous menstruums; the fleshy
covering which contains the teeth.
GUMMY, _a._ Consisting of gum, of the nature of gum; overgrown with
gum; soft, flaccid.
GUN, _s._ The general name of fire-arms; the instrument by which
shot is discharged by fire.
_Agilis._ You seem very decided as to your opinion of the relative value
between London-made guns, and those at a much less price manufactured in
the country. In what qualities do you suppose the advantages to consist,
and how do you prove these qualities may not exist as well in a country
as a London-made gun? Pray state your opinion at length. I have never
heard the matter fully discussed, though I have certainly seen much
confidence shown by the advocates of each.
_Peritus._ The value is derived from four causes: goodness of raw
material, temper, close fitting, and adaptation of the several parts to
each other, in shape, position, and substance, as fittest to fulfil the
duties for which they are separately and collectively intended, in the
production or convenience, permanence, and effect.
Let us consider this in the same light in which we should view any other
branch of merchandise; first, it must be conceded, that wherever the
best maker may be, there the highest quality of produce will be found;
it is _likely_, therefore, that the material offered to the London maker
will be superior to that brought for sale to the comparatively small
consumer (in price if not in quantity) in the country; the well-known
competition existing between all London makers, renders it probable that
he will use his utmost exertions to secure this advantage in the highest
degree. Secondly: with regard to temper there are two things to be
considered, namely, the degree of hardness required to prevent a
movement from wearing itself away; and next, with reference to its
action upon other parts in contact with it, as in some machines we have
wheels bushed with brass to diminish friction. Great tact is requisite
in this matter; first, to know the temper required; secondly, to give
it. The workman who can effect this, is valuable in proportion to his
knowledge; is he likely to remain in the country at low wages, or to
become the servant of the highest bidder? Close-fitting: an accurate eye
and practised hand are absolutely necessary to effect this, which is a
main cause of permanence in a gun-lock, as thereby all parts bear their
even proportion of stress, and (the temper and position of all parts
being correct) an even wear is the result. But the most practised
workman requires an extension of time, in some degree proportionate to
the goodness of his work, comparing it with that of others less skilful,
and this adds to the price; the London maker can best afford to pay that
price.
Lastly, the fitness of the parts for the duties they have to fulfil. It
may be said here, that the greater the quantity of material
manufactured, the greater degree of knowledge must be attained by the
manufacturer. Assuming then that the superiority of material is shown,
we have to prove that the cheap manufacturer either cannot, by quantity,
obtain such a knowledge of the requisite shape of the parts of a gun,
as, when put together, shall make it equal to that of a London maker;
or, if in possession of that knowledge, cannot, in the same degree,
avail himself of it. Supposing, then, that he does take the pattern of
the most approved shape for his guide (a circumstance we find not to be
commonly the case), or even in the absence of equal opportunities of
comparison, that great spur to improvement, can invent a better shape
than others, this can only refer to the handling of the gun; its
working, as before shown, depending so much upon material, temper, and
putting together, that it possesses the form of goodness only, without
the reality; and as well might you expect to procure an article of dress
equally convenient, lasting, and fitting, of a country tailor, as that
which may be had of a first-rate workman in London, as procure an
article of the nature of a gun of the same degree of excellence in the
country as in town.
_Agilis._ Have you not omitted the consideration, that all workmen can
work cheaper in the country, from the diminished price of food and
house-rent, than in large towns; as also the enormous profits made by
London gun-makers?
_Peritus._ The advantage you here mention, does not come into play—it is
a matter of consideration for the workman alone. I would admit it, did I
consider that the workman himself was ill-paid, but the contrary is the
fact. It has already been conceded, that, although a gun progresses in
value as it progresses in price, yet not in an equal ratio, and part of
the difference consists in the greater (I might most say undue) pay, in
proportion to his labour, which a first-rate workman can procure; and
secondly, in the great credit which any one maker may obtain over others
from the known excellence of his work: these latter are two little
monopolies, and must be paid for while they exist; but it is your
business to fix a limit upon this by selecting from the best makers, and
procuring the most for your money; and you may be certain, that although
large manufactories can be carried on with greater advantage in the
country, in circumstances where moderate ability is required, and many
hands used, and machinery can also be called into play upon the same
terms, yet superior manual dexterity will always overcome the difference
of dearness of living and present itself where there is and ever must be
the greatest mart, and most continued as well as highest bidders for it;
to wit, in that place where the manufacture to be produced is in the
highest credit and perfection. And as these two will, therefore,
continue to operate upon each other, the demand for guns and the
perfection of their manufacture, will draw the best workmen, and they
will again produce the most perfect guns: and London will thus continue
the best mart for the buyer as well as the seller, until some other city
spring up, where the purchasers of the article become more numerous, and
the talents of the workmen more appreciated.
* * * * *
That our times should be as far distinguished for increased effect and
superior elegance in the formation of fire-arms, as for any other
mechanical improvement, will be admitted by all but the most prejudiced
of the old school. Antique gunners may still be found, who are obstinate
in preferring the flint to the percussion plan. But any person who has
suffered the disappointments that the best guns on the former principle
will entail upon those who carry them, and particularly in wet and
stormy weather, will freely admit the wonderful advantages that simple
and effective invention, the copper-cap, confers upon the modern
sportsman. The misery entailed upon the man who in rain and storm
attempts to load and discharge a flint gun, may be reckoned among the
worst upon the human catalogue; and if he who has suffered repeated
disappointments of eternal misses and dilatory explosions from a thick
flint and a damp pan, tried the simple and elegant improvement now in
general use, he would abandon the stone gun for ever.
It has been said that gun-making is only brought to perfection in
London, and that the Irish are not able to compete with their English
rivals. I am, I confess, decidedly partial to a London gun; and while I
admit that I have occasionally met with excellent fire-arms produced by
Dublin makers, yet they are, in finish and elegance, generally behind
those which one gets from any of the leading artists in the great
metropolis. To point to any particular name among the host of London
makers, would be absurd. From more than a dozen a person will be certain
of obtaining a first-rate implement; and from the Mantons, Purdy, Egg,
and many others, guns of the most efficient qualities and beautiful
finish will be procured.
* * * * *
_Trial between French and English Guns._—We then made trial of some guns
of the manufactory, and it may be reasonably supposed the best were
selected. I had only brought two of my own, one of which was my coach
gun, not more than two feet long, but even this far surpassed those
produced by the manufactory. They made some shots at the distance of
ninety-eight yards, but did not succeed.
It was afterwards agreed to have a full and fair trial of my guns
against the manufactory, and each party was naturally anxious for
success. The Poker, or Bonaparte, as the gun is termed, opened the ball,
and she threw her shot so exactly, that the French admitted, “une mouche
ne pouvoit pas l’echapper.”
Theirs in return failed, after which they assayed about four others. The
next was my air gun, at ninety-three yards, against their rifle. I shot
within an inch of their mark though it was not fully pumped; the day was
extremely sultry, and yet my next shot was still more exact.
The next trial was my double rifle, which was, apparently, greatly in
their favour, as the sight to a single rifle is far more accurate. On
preparing to reload, I found that, owing to some mistake, the loader and
the bullet moulds were either lost or mislaid. However, some bullets
were found to fit, and, after loading with powder merely by guess, I
made eight shots, each sufficient to pierce through a deer’s head, and
one even touched the edge of the white.
We had several other trials both with rifles and air guns, but the
result afforded a convincing proof of the superiority of the English
manufactures: several bets were made on this occasion, and general
Beaumont, the appointed judge, decided impartially in favour of my guns,
but, out of respect for the civilities I had received, I ordered a
single and double barrelled gun of the best make.
* * * * *
The mounting of their guns at Versailles is certainly excellent, and the
carving of their stocks is most beautifully conceived and is capitally
executed, but their barrels are not fitted in that workman-like manner
which constitutes a striking excellence in the English manufactories.
They are also very inferior to my countrymen in the art of browning, and
in the construction of their locks.
The manufactory at Versailles was under the patronage of the First
Consul, and he frequently ordered the most costly pieces, as presents
for foreign princes, or general officers; one gun was produced which was
then completing for the Consul, at the price of eight hundred guineas.
The sum was certainly very great, but I remember receiving a fowling
piece as a present from Lord Rockingham, which cost his lordship four
hundred guineas, in consequence of my having killed a sparrow, which had
perched on the top of Wentworth house.
* * * * *
_Anno_ 1712, a brass gun was advertised to be shot for, at Hoxton, which
was in the shape of a walking cane, might be used either as a gun or
pistol, and which contained a telescope, a dial on the head, and a
perpetual almanac.
* * * * *
_Directions for cleaning guns._—Let your barrels be first washed
perfectly clean with cold, and then fill each of them with hot water;
which, by the time it has nearly run out at the touch-holes, will
accelerate their being wiped dry, as much as though boiling water had
been used; and before they have completely discharged the water, stop
the muzzles and touch-holes; and after shaking it up and down in the
barrels, turn it out at the muzzles, by which means you will effectually
stir up and expel any extraneous matter that may have lodged in the
bottom of the chambers. To ascertain this, hold them with the
touch-holes towards the window, and (with the breechings which I have
recommended) you will, by looking into each muzzle, plainly perceive the
light in the chamber appearing like one dot surrounded by two (and
sometimes three) rings. I have recommended washing guns with cold water,
from having found that it always more readily removes the foulness
occasioned by the powder, which, from sudden heat, is apt, at first, to
dry and adhere more closely to the calibre: whereas, with cold water, it
remains in a moist state, and immediately mixes.
In cleansing barrels, a little fine sand may not be amiss, and will
generally answer in removing the lead. If hot water should be required
for this purpose, the gun may be scoured with it, after having been
washed with cold.
Gun-makers generally apply hot water to clean the barrels if much
leaded, and afterwards finish with cold; but cold water is best, and the
tow being strewed over with steel-filings, will better remove the lead,
and at the same time do no injury to the inside polish of the barrel.
Every shooter should have the breeches of his guns taken out at least
twice a year. To undo them without springing the barrels, let him use
tallow and wax mixed, and anoint the threads; steeping the barrels in
warm water before trying to unscrew them; any fault may be easily
discovered by thus inspecting the barrels.
* * * * *
If a stupid fellow wedges dry tow into your gun, with the cleaning rod,
pour boiling water on it, and the rod may then be turned round and drawn
out. I remember this occurred with a large punt-gun, at which I caught
four men hauling away most unmercifully, but to no effect; I luckily
came by and saved the destruction of the cleaning-rod, if not the injury
of the barrel, by suggesting this simple contrivance.
* * * * *