400 I'HE FEATHEKED TRIBES. 



was then almost entirely wooded with oak, with a thick cover of furze ; and although at 

 present eleven miles in circurafereuce, it was formerly much larger, and connected with 

 extensive possessions of the crown, some of which are now alienated. Stacks of barley 

 were also put up in different places in the park for their support ; and some of the old 

 turkey-cocks are said to have weighed from 251bs. to 301bs. They were hunted with 

 dogs, and made to take refuge in a tree, where they were frequently shot by George II. 

 I have not been able to learn how long they had been preserved in the park before his 

 reio-n, but they were totally destroyed towards the latter end of it, in consequence of tho 

 dangers to which the keepers were exposed in protecting them from poachers, with whom 

 they had many bloody fights, being frequently overpowered by them." 



" In one of the woods at Aston Hall, in Warwickshire," Mr. Jesse adds, " I saw, some 

 years ago, both pea and Guinea fowl, in the same wild state. The common domestic fowl 

 would, if properly encouraged, become an inhabitant of our woods, and their flesh 

 approach to the flavour of the pheasant. In Windsor Great Park the experiment was 

 tried, and perfectly succeeded, the fowls requiring no more care or feeding than the 

 pheasant. I was assured that these wild fowls were remarkably fine, and partook very 

 much of the flavour of the pheasant." 



THE DOMESTIC TURKEY. 



In a domesticated state the plumage of the Turkey varies as much or more than it does 

 in the common poultry. White is far from uncommon ; buft' is more rare. But the most 

 curious variety is that mentioned by M. Temminck, which was in Madame Backer's 

 aviary at the Hague. This bird had a top-knot springing from the crown of the head ; 

 and a flock of a pale reddish tint, with an ample crest of pure white, were reared by the 

 same lady. 



The disposition of the female is, generally, much more mild and gentle than that of 

 the male. Yet when leading out her young family to collect their food, though so large 

 and, apparently, so powerful a bird, she usually gives them very little protection against 

 the attacks of rapacious animals. La Pluche says : " I have heard a turkey hen, when at 

 the head of her brood, send forth the most hideous screams, without my being able to 

 perceive the cause : her young ones, however, immediately when tho warning was given, 

 skulked under the bushes, the grass, or whatever else seemed to offer shelter and 

 protection. They even stretched themselves at full length on the ground, and continued 

 motionless, as if dead. In the mean time, the mother, with her eyes directed upwards, 

 continued her cries and screaming as before. On looking up, in the direction in which 

 she seemed to gaze, I discovered a black spot just under the clouds, but was unable at 

 first to determine what it was ; however, it soon proved to be a bird of prey, though at 

 first at too great a distance to be distinguished. I have seen one of these birds con- 

 tinue in this agitated state, and her whole brood pinned down as it were to the ground, 

 for hours together ; whilst their formidable foe has taken his circuits, has mounted, and 

 hovered directly over their heads. At last, on his disappearing, the parent changed lier 

 note, and sent forth another cry, which, in an instant, gave life to the whole trembling 

 tribe, and they all flocked round her with expressions of pleasure, as if conscious of their 

 happy escape from danger." 



The author of "Tabella Cibaria" says, that tho bird is "so stupid or timorous, that if 

 you balance a bit of straw on his head, or draw a line of chalk on the ground from his 

 beak, he fancies himself so loaded, or so bound, tliat hn will remain in the same position 

 till hun"-cr forces him to move. Wc made the experiment." To this statement Mr. 

 Brodcrip adds : " We never did, but we doubt it not, though we cannot accept it as a 

 proof of stupidity. How inucli wit may be necessary to balance a straw may bo 



