_Numida meleagris._—+Linn.+
[94] Length 21¹⁄₄ inches, expanse 31¹⁄₂, flexure 10¹⁄₂, tail 5¹⁄₂,
rictus 1¹⁄₂, tarsus 3¹⁄₂, middle toe 2⁴⁄₁₀. Irides hazel; feet
black.
In a country whose genial climate so closely resembled its own,
and which abounded with dense and tangled thickets, the well-known
wandering propensities of the Guinea-fowl would no doubt cause it
to become wild very soon after its introduction. It was abundant in
Jamaica as a wild bird, 150 years ago, for Falconer mentions it among
the wild game, in his amusing “Adventures.” I shall confine myself to a
few notes of its present habits, which are in all probability those of
its original condition.
The Guinea-fowl makes itself too familiar to the settlers by its
depredations in the provision-grounds. In the cooler months of the
year, they come in numerous coveys from the woods, and scattering
themselves in the grounds at early dawn, scratch up the yams and
cocoes. A large hole is dug by their vigorous feet in very short time,
and the tubers exposed, which are then pecked away, so as to be almost
destroyed, and quite spoiled. A little later, when the planting season
begins, they do still greater damage, by digging up and devouring
the seed-yams, and cocoe-heads, thus frustrating the hopes of the
husbandman in the bud. “The corn is no sooner put into the ground than
it is scratched out; and the peas are not only dug up by them, but
shelled in the pod.” (Dr. Cham.) The sweet potato, however, _as I am
informed_, escapes their ravages, being invariably rejected by them.
To protect the growing provisions, some of the negro peasants have
recourse to scarecrows, and others endeavour to capture the birds by a
common rat-gin set in their way. It must, however, be quite concealed,
or it may as well be at home; it is therefore sunk in the ground, and
lightly covered with earth and leaves. A springe is useless, unless the
cord be blackened and discoloured so as to resemble the dry trailing
stem of some creeper, for they are birds of extreme caution and
suspicion. It is hence extremely difficult to shoot them, their fears
being readily alarmed, and their fleetness soon carrying them beyond
the reach of pursuit. But the aid of a dog, even a common cur, greatly
diminishes the difficulty. Pursuit by an animal whose speed exceeds
their own, seems to paralyze them; they instantly betake themselves
to a tree, whence they may be shot down with facility, as their whole
senses appear to be concentrated upon one object, the barking cur
beneath, regarding whom with attent eyes, and outstretched neck, they
dare not quit their position of defence. Flight cannot be protracted by
them, nor is it trusted to as a means of escape, save to the extent of
gaining the elevation of a tree: the body is too heavy, the wings too
short and hollow, and the sternal apparatus too weak, for flight to be
any other than a painful and laborious performance.
The Guinea-fowl is sometimes caught by the following stratagem; a small
quantity of corn is steeped for a night in proof rum, and is then
placed in a shallow vessel, with a little fresh rum, and the water
expressed from a bitter cassava, grated; this is deposited within an
inclosed ground, to which the depredators resort. A small quantity of
the grated cassava is then strewn over it, and it is left. The fowls
eat the medicated food eagerly, and are soon found reeling about
intoxicated, unable to escape, and content with thrusting the head into
a corner. Frequently a large part of the flock are found dead, from
this cause.
Though savoury, and in high request for the table, the Guinea-fowl
sometimes acquires an insufferably rank odour, from feeding on the
fetid _Petiveria alliacea_; and is then uneatable.
The eggs are deposited in the midst of a dense tussock of grass, to
the amount of a dozen or more. It is said that occasionally the number
is greatly higher; and that they are laid _stratum super stratum_,
with leaves between. If this is true, probably more than one hen
participates in the maternity. The wild bird’s egg measures 1⁷⁄₁₀ by
1⁴⁄₁₀ inch; and weighs 6 dr., 1 sc., 2 gr.—(Rob. MSS.)
+Fam.+—TETRAONIDÆ. (_The Grouse._)