Although Swartboy and Congo supped upon the flesh of the waterbuck--
which is far from being a delicate venison--the boys had something
better for supper. That was roast fowl, and a very dainty kind of it,
quite equal to grouse or partridge. They all supped upon "guinea-hen."
The guinea-fowl (_Numida meleagris_) is a bird that has been long known,
and is often mentioned in the works of ancient writers under the names
_Meleagris_ and _Gallina Numidica_. It is unnecessary to give a
description of its appearance, as every one is acquainted with the
beautiful pearly plumage of the bird, from which it has obtained the
name of pearl-hen--among the Germans Perl-Huhn, and among the Spaniards
"Pintado," or spotted hen. The English name "Guinea-hen" is in allusion
to the country from which it has been chiefly obtained in modern times.
The guinea-fowl is truly a native of Africa--though it is now
domesticated in almost every country in the world, and has become a
common inhabitant of the farm-yard. In the United States of America,
particularly in the Southern States, where the climate exactly suits it,
the guinea-hen, or "guinea-chicken," as the bird is there called, is a
great favourite, both as a bird for the table and a layer of eggs; and
certainly the flesh of the young pullet is much more delicate and
savoury than that of the common fowl.
In many of the West India islands, the guinea-hen, although introduced
from Africa, has become wild, and in the forests of Jamaica it is hunted
and shot like other game. In these islands the species propagates very
rapidly; and where the birds become numerous they do great mischief to
the crops of the planters. On this account they are often hunted, not
to be served up at the table, but for the purpose of exterminating them
as troublesome pests.
Throughout all Africa, its native country, the guinea-fowl exists; but
it is to be remarked that there is more than one species. The common
guinea-fowl (_Numida meleagris_) is the best known, and in its wild
state differs very little from the domesticated variety. The latter,
however, frequently varies in colour, and some are seen with very little
of the blue tint upon their feathers and almost without spots. This,
however, is the usual law of wild birds when produced under
domestication, as ducks, turkeys, geese, and all the other pets of the
farm, fully demonstrate. Even when left to herself, nature often
"sports" in this way, and we know of no bird or animal of which
"albinos" may not be at some time observed.
In addition to the common guinea-fowl, a second species is well known to
exist in the Southern parts of the African continent. This is the
"crested guinea-fowl," (_Numida cristata_). It is not quite so large as
the common kind, and has other differences. It is of a darker blue
colour, but spotted like its congener, each feather having from four to
six spots upon it. The quills are yellowish brown, but the edges of the
secondaries are of a pure white, which contrasts prettily with the dark
colouring of the general plumage.
But the most conspicuous difference between the two species is in the
formation of the crown and cheeks. As is well known, over the bill of
the common guinea-fowl rises a singular warty membrane like a casque,
while two carunculated wattles hang from the lower mandible. Both these
appendages are wanting in the _Numida cristata_; but in place of the
hard casque, the head of this species is ornamented with a crest of
loose hair-like feathers of a bluish-black, which adds very much to the
elegant appearance of the bird.
The guinea-hens are gregarious and sometimes immense flocks of them are
seen together. They spend most of their time upon the ground, but they
also take to trees when startled, and roost upon the branches. Their
food consists of seeds, berries, and soft slugs.
While the boys were discussing what they should have for supper, a flock
of these beautiful crested creatures came chattering across the open
meadow in which was the camp. Of course the shot-guns were immediately
put in requisition, and several of the party got ready to go after them.
Now it is not so very easy to get a shot at the wild guinea-hens. They
are no great flyers, and do not take to the wing when pursued, unless
when close pressed by a dog or some other swift animal. But a man on
foot is no match for them, as they run very swiftly where the ground is
even. They are shy, moreover; and it is not without difficulty that a
shot can be had. There is one way, however, of approaching them
successfully. A dog should be set after them, precisely in the same
manner as though they were rabbits, hares, or any other small
quadrupeds. The dog of course being swift enough to overtake them, soon
comes up, and the guinea-fowls are then forced to take wing. But, as
they are greatly disinclined to a long flight, they soon settle down
again, or, what is more likely, perch upon the branches of the nearest
tree. The dog then runs up to the tree; and, if well-trained, will
commence barking, and continue so till the sportsman approaches within
shot. The birds upon the tree have no fear of the dog below--knowing
very well that he cannot climb up to them--but, while their attention is
occupied with him, they pay no heed to their more dangerous enemy the
gunner, who can then easily approach within range, and take aim at his
leisure.
Now this mode of hunting the guinea-fowl was well known to the young
yagers; and as one of their dogs had been trained to it, they took him
along, and commenced the pursuit with every confidence that they would
eat roast fowl for supper.
They were not disappointed. The birds were soon after sprung, and then
treed; and the barking of the dog conducted the gunners to the spot
where the game had taken roost, among the branches of some
"cameel-doorn" trees near the bank of the river. Several shots were
obtained; and three brace and a half were brought into camp--enough to
serve not only for supper, but also for breakfast on the following
morning.
It seemed to be quite a place for birds; for while there, many other
species were observed by the young hunters. A great many curious plants
grew in the neighbourhood, the seeds of which served many kinds for
food; besides, from the proximity of the river many flies and other
insects were produced, the prey of numerous shrikes and other birds of
the family of _Muscicapidae_.
Hans pointed out a very singular bird that was flying about the meadow,
and was every now and then uttering a note that sounded like the word
"edolio." From this note the bird derives its name, just as in England
the "cuckoo" is named from its peculiar call, and in France "coucou."
Now the _edolio_ of South Africa is also a cuckoo; and although
differing from our cuckoo in some respects, it has a great resemblance
to it in others. It has the same parasite peculiarity of depositing its
eggs in the nests of other birds, and leaving them to be hatched there;
and its other habits are very similar to those of the common cuckoo.
But there are some very curious points in the history of the "edolio,"
which it does not share with its European congener. Among the boors of
South Africa it is known as the "New year's day bird," (Niuwe jaars
vogel,) and these simple people ascribe to it some wonderful
characteristics. They say that it appears only at the beginning of the
year--whence the name "new year's day bird"--and that whenever it is
hungry it commences to cry out, and then all the little birds in the
immediate neighbourhood fly towards it, carrying food, which they give
it to eat!
Now all the young yagers, as well as Congo the Kaffir and Swartboy the
Bushman, were well acquainted with this story; and all, with the
exception of Hans, believed it to be true. Hans, however, knew the
explanation of the marvellous matter, and proceeded to give it to his
companions.
He stated that the bird known among the farmers as the _Niuwe jaars
vogel_, was no other than the young of the "edolio" (_Cuculus
serratus_)--though the farmers would not believe this, because, although
full fledged, it differs a good deal from the parent birds both in size
and colour, and is therefore taken for a distinct kind. That the
mystery of its appearing always on the first day of the year, was scarce
a fable after all, as it was _about_ that time that young edolios
obtained their full feathers, and commenced flying about. That the
further statement, of its crying out when hungry, was perfectly true;
but that _all_ the small birds in the neighbourhood were summoned by its
cry, was not correct, although _some_ would be, viz: the step-mother and
father that had brought it into life; and that these having been often
seen in the act of feeding the young edolio had given origin to the
fable. This was certainly a very good explanation.
Hans further stated that a similar belief existed among the natives of
India, in relation to the large-billed cuckoo, (_Eudynamis orientalis_),
and that the belief had a similar origin.
"The edolio," continued Hans, "like the cuckoo, deposits its eggs in the
nest of many species of small birds; and that it places them there with
its beak, and not in the ordinary way, has been satisfactorily
determined by naturalists."