Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Guinea-hen

GUINEA-HEN, or Numida meleagris, L. an exotic species of gallinaceous fowl, which is a native of Africa. Its body is sloped in a manner similar to that of a partridge, and its dark grey colour is beautifully variegated with white spots.

Guinea-hens are not so tame and domestic as our native fowls, and frequently occasion considerable trouble to their keepers, by flying into hedges and bushes, especially during the night, where they lay, and hatch their eggs, of which they frequently deposit from 100 to 150. Nevertheless, they breed tolerably well in this climate; their flesh is generally white, tender, and sweet, though it is sometimes found perfectly black.