in ornithology, a genus belonging to the order of gallinace. On each side of the head there is a kind of coloured fleety horn; and the beak is furnished with cere near the nostrils. There is but one species, the meleagris, or Guinea-hen; a native of Africa. It is of the size of the common hen, but with a longer neck. Its body is sloped like that of a partridge, and its colour is all over a dark grey, very beautifully spotted with small white specks; there is a black ring round the neck; its head is reddish, and it is blue under the eyes. They naturally herd together in large numbers, and breed up their young in common; the females taking care of the broods of others, as well as of their own. Barbot informs us, that in Guinea they are in flocks of 200 or 300, that perch in trees, and feed on worms and grasshoppers; that they are run down and taken by dogs; and that their flesh is tender and sweet, generally white, though sometimes black. They breed very well with us.