. The popular natural history . Zoology. 376 THE The female makes her nest in some secluded spot, and is very guarded in her approaches, seldom employing the same path twice in succession: and, if discovered, using various wiles by which to draw the intruder from the spot. As soon as the young are hatched she takes them under her charge, and the wholefamilygo wander- ing about to great dis- tances, at first returning to the nest for the night, but afterwards crouch- ing in any suitable spot. Marshy places are avoided by the Turkey, as wet is fatal to the young birds until they have at
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 376 THE The female makes her nest in some secluded spot, and is very guarded in her approaches, seldom employing the same path twice in succession: and, if discovered, using various wiles by which to draw the intruder from the spot. As soon as the young are hatched she takes them under her charge, and the wholefamilygo wander- ing about to great dis- tances, at first returning to the nest for the night, but afterwards crouch- ing in any suitable spot. Marshy places are avoided by the Turkey, as wet is fatal to the young birds until they have attained their se- cond suit of clothes and wear feathers in- stead of down. When they are about a fort- night old they are able to get up into trees, and roost in the branches, safe from most of the numerous enemies which beset their path through life. The Turkey is a very migratory bird, pass- ing over great distances and retaining the habit in its tamed state, giving no small amount of trouble to the poultry owner. The prettily spotted Guinea Fowl, or Pintado, sometimes called Gallini, is, although now domesticated in England, a native of Africa, and has much of the habits and propensities of the turkey. Both in the wild and the captive state the Guinea Fowl is wary and suspicious, and particularly careful not to betray the position of its nest, thus often gi\'ing great trouble to the farmer. Sometimes when the breeding season approaches, the female Pintado will hide herself and nest so effectually that the only indication of her proceedings is her subsequent appearance with a brood of young round her. The number of eggs is rather large, being seldom below ten, and often double that number. Their colour is yellowish red, covered with very little dark spots, and their size is less than that of the common fowl. Their shells are extremely hard and thick, and when boiled for the table require some little exertion to open properly. Everyone knows the curious, almost articulate cry
Size: 1676px × 1490px
Photo credit: © Central Historic Books / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
