3-028-193 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Vulturine Guinea-Fowl in the Zoological Society's Gardens, 1870. New addition to London Zoo, '...peculiar in having the head and greater part of the neck devoid of feathers, and without any caruncles, and in the possession of long ornamental hackles surrounding the base of the neck and breast...recently, and since the eastern coast of Africa has been more thoroughly explored, it has been discovered that this bird is by no means uncommon on the southern part of the Somali coast, and in the adjacent parts of Continental Africa...The officers of H.M.S. Syria, when lately [at Lamoo, a port situate on the east coast of Africa], saw several in the market, but used them for the table, not being aware of their great rarity. More recently, Dr. Kirk has succeeded in securing for the aviaries of the society the living female of the species...This fine bird was procured at Brava, on the southern part of the Somali coast...We regret to have to add that the bird has suffered from an unusually protracted voyage, and from the quarantine imposed upon it by the French officials, and has, consequently, reached the Regent's Park in a very weak state'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.