The VULTURINE ROYAL GUINEA FOWL (_Acryllium vulturinum_) has the head and
upper part of the throat destitute of feathers, but besprinkled with hairs
of a black colour, which are longest on the neck; the nape is thickly
clothed with short, velvet-like, brown down, and the lower part of the
neck ornamented with long, lanceolate, and flowing feathers, having a
broad stripe of white down the centre, to which on each side succeeds
a line of dull black, finely dotted with white, and margined with fine
blue. The feathers of the inferior part of the back are of a similar form,
but broader, with a narrower line of white down the centre, and with the
minute white dots disposed in irregular and obliquely transverse lines.
The wing-covers, back, rump, tail, under tail-covers, and thighs, are
blackish brown, ornamented with numerous round and irregular spots of
white surrounded by circles of black, the intermediate spaces being filled
with very minute spots of dull white; the primaries are brown, with light
shafts and spots of brownish white on the outer web; and the tips of the
inner secondaries brownish black, with three imperfect lines of white
disposed lengthwise on the outer web, and three rows of irregular spots
of white on the inner web; the breast and sides of the abdomen are of a
beautiful metallic blue, the centre of the abdomen black, the flanks dull
pink, with numerous spots of white surrounded by circles of black; the
bill is brownish, and the feet brown.
"Independently of the chaste and delicate markings which adorn the whole
of this tribe, the neck of the present species of Guinea Fowl," says Mr.
Gould, "is ornamented by a ruff of lanceolate flowing plumes, which new
feature, as well as the head being entirely devoid of fleshy appendages,
render it conspicuously different from all its congeners. We are not able
to furnish any account of its history further than that our figure is
taken from an example, in all probability unique, forming a part of the
collection of the United Service Museum, to which it was presented by
Captain Probyn. It is certainly one of the most noble birds that has been
discovered for some years; and we indulge in the hope that the period
may not be far distant when we shall become better acquainted with the
species, and that living individuals may even become denizens of our
menageries and farmyards, where they would doubtless thrive equally well
as their congener so familiar to us all."
[Illustration: THE COMMON GUINEA FOWL (_Numida meleagris_).]
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The TUFTED GUINEA FOWLS (_Guttera_) are recognisable by the bushy crest
upon the head, as also by their very powerful beak, moderately high
tarsus, and short strong tail. The neck is without any actual lappet, but
has the bare skin arranged in deep folds.