The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-04-26
A QUEER HYBRID FOWL.

W
One of the strongest productions of
animal interbreeding ever discovered
has recently come to light. In fact
it is probable that just such hybrid
as the one in question has never been
seen before. This is cross between
the common chicken and the guinea
fowl. A cross affected naturally Cor
otherwise) between distinct species
of birds, if ever occurring at all, must
be of the EXTREMIST rarity. What
man has done in the way of cross
breeding among quadrupeds is we'll
known and of comparative easy ac-
complishment, but his efforts, backed
by patience and skill, have done lit
tie, if anything, in the way of cross
ing one species of bird with another.
This chicken-guinea hybrid was
found on a farm few miles north of
here and was purchased and is now
owned by N. w. Payne, of this city.
Its paternal ancestor was Plymouth
Rock cock, the maternal parent being
a common guinea hen. The correct
ness of this statement is abundantly
and convincingly shown by corrobor-
ative facts and circumstances furnish
ed by Mr.. Bacon, who raised the flock
of fowls in which this rara avis was
discovered. These facts and circum-
stances were not of his directing, nor
were Influenced in any way by any
human agency, except that the as
similating species were simply domes-
ticated birds and were subjected to
the influences that are common to all
barnyard hocks.
This mule-bird was hatched and
reared by the mother guinea and no
notice of structural peculiarities were
at first noticed, but with the advance
of growth its mongrel character be-
came more and more noticeable. By
the time its brother and sister guineas
were of mature size it had become a
very noticeable bird. Its habits were
the same as its associates, but it was
at least half larger, and of most
peculiar and almost indescribable ap-
pearance. No one can doubt Mr..
Bacon's story of its parentage when
he sees tie bird
The bill of chicken, yet about the
base and the shape of the cape it sug-
gests the guinea's naked spaces, but
not his crest, as it is also lacking the
cocks comb. The back has the high
arch of the guinea, with its decurved
tail. The legs and feet more resem-
bic the chicken the neck is like
chicken and is carried in similar
manner.
The color of the feathers is as near
as could be imagined a cross between
the two species.
Its song, cry or whatever one is
pleased to call its vocalization, is in
deed a revelation, and beyond my
power to properly describe. The
loud, rasping, intense utterances OF
the guinea is so strangely and pecu-
liarly modified by the softer tones of
the chicken that the resultant medley
is almost comical in its hitherto un-
heard peculiarity.
The shape and strength ofits wings
are like its guinea kin and it flies
with facility and force that is in
keeping with its size.
The bird is now nearly years old,
and, although watched closely, has
never shown any action or structural
popularity indicating its sex.
In the light of researches in biology
and selective breeding this fact alone
is almost conclusive as to its hybrid
origin. Economic features of the race
are of useless consideration, as the
matter now stands, but would be one
of great importance could the race be
reproduced at will.-B. f. Wilson,
in ST. L0niS Gl06e-Dem0cyat.
A COUNTRY editor lay in an uncon-
scious condition, and for some time
it was feared he was dead.
Cant you rouse him, doctor ?"
was anxiously asked.
"No," the physician replied, IT
fear that life is extinct" !"
Then the EDITORS assistant bent
over and whispered in his ear:
ga gentleman wants to put an
'ad. in the paper"
Immediately the unconscious mans
face began to show signs of returning
life, and struggling to a sitting pos
ture he said very feebly:
"How many lines?"
UNCLE BoB-"Say, does the baby
always holler like that till he gets
what he wants?"
Papa-"Yes; and then he general
ly hollers for something else" !"
HOAX Isn't it strange how many
people say funny when they mean
peculiar p"