Driving Turkeys to Market
That is all we need now say about the turkey. The rest may be left unsaid till the Christmas dinner, when the noble bird lies brown and steaming on his back in the great platter. Then the carver stands over him knife in hand and we hear from him the customary question, "Which will you have, white meat or dark?" To most of us it does not matter which so that we get a bounteous share.
The Guinea-fowl, of which we shall speak in passing, must be dealt with briefly, for it is not largely kept in our home poultry yards, though much attention is paid to it in some parts of the world. It is one of the few gifts which Africa has made to our home-life family.
This bird belongs in the pheasant tribe and is found in Guinea and South Africa. It also occurs in the north and was much liked by the ancient Romans. But it is better fitted to warm than to cold climates, and as the young are apt to die of infant troubles it is not kept in large numbers in our poultry yards. Yet the bird and its eggs bring good prices in the market.
The climate of Jamaica is just right for the Guinea-fowl and in that island it has made itself at home, taking to the woods and to a wild life. There it has become fond of feeding on the growing crops and is hunted and shot like a game bird.
The special fact about this bird rests in its color, it being prettily speckled with round white spots on a dark gray color of plumage. There are several species, the best known being the common guinea, which is often called "come-back" from its call. In its wild state it gathers in large flocks and is very shy and hard to get near, while it keeps up most of the time a harsh cry which Latham compares to a door turning on rusty hinges or a wheel on an ungreased axle. In the farm-yard it perches at night in high places and if disturbed rouses up the whole neighborhood by its ceaseless cry.
The eggs of the Guinea-fowl are smaller than those of the hen and rounder in shape. They are of a reddish-white color, and are delicious eating. Many are laid and the female has the habit of hiding her nest until the young are hatched out. The flesh tastes like that of the pheasant, but is rather dry. It was served up at the Roman feasts, and is much liked now by many persons.
It may be further said about this bird that it is at times a nuisance in the poultry yard, for the male guinea has the tendency to attack the other poultry and act the tyrant over them. Another habit is to scrape in the ground like a hen. It also loves to roll in the dust and thus free itself from insects.
THE SWAN, AN IMAGE OF GRACE
Next on our list of home birds is the Swan, one of the most beautiful and graceful of the whole bird race. When afloat, like a winged boat, on the still surface of lake or pond, with its snow-white body and wings and its long, curving neck, it is a thing of beauty which we are all glad to see and enjoy.