The earnest and early propensity of the gallinæ to roost on high is very observable; and discovers a strong dread impressed on their spirits respecting vermin that may annoy them on the ground during the hours of darkness. Hence poultry, if left to themselves and not housed, will perch the winter through on yew-trees and fir-trees; turkeys and guinea fowls, heavy as they are, get up into apple-trees; pheasants also in woods sleep on trees to avoid foxes;[1] while pea-fowls climb to the tops of the highest trees round their owner's house for security, let the weather be ever so cold or blowing. Partridges, it is true, roost on the ground, not having the faculty of perching but then the same fear prevails in their minds; for through apprehension from pole-cats and stoats, they never trust themselves to coverts, but nestle together in the midst of large fields, far removed from hedges and coppices, which they love to haunt in the day, and where at that season they can skulk more secure from the ravages of rapacious birds.
As to ducks and geese, their awkward splay web-feet forbid them to settle on trees: they therefore, in the hours of darkness and danger, betake themselves to their own element the water, where amidst large lakes and pools, like ships riding at anchor, they float the whole night long in peace and security.—White.
Guinea fowls not only roost on high, but in hard weather resort, even in the daytime, to the very tops of the highest trees. Last winter, when the ground was covered with snow, I discovered all my guinea fowls, in the middle of the day, sitting on the highest boughs of some very tall elms, chattering and making a great clamour: I ordered them to be driven down lest they should be frozen to death in so elevated a situation, but this was not effected without much difficulty; they being very unwilling to quit their lofty abode, notwithstanding one of them had its feet so much frozen that we were obliged to kill it. I know not how to account for this, unless it was occasioned by their aversion to the
- ↑ The pheasants run into equal danger when they roost in the trees; for, although they are secure from ground vermin, yet do they often fall victims to the poacher, who can see them plainly against the sky.
