268 NATURAL HISTORY 
In so extensive a subject, sketches and outlines 
are as much as can be expected, for it would be 
endless to instance in all the infinite variety of the 
feathered nation. We shall therefore confine the 
remainder of this letter to the few domestic fowls 
of our yards, which are most known, and, therefore, 
best understood. And, first, the peacock, with his 
gorgeous train, demands our attention ; but, like 
most of the gaudy birds, his notes are grating and 
shocking to the ear: the yelling of cats, and the 
braying of an ass, are not more disgustful. The 
voice of the goose is trumpet-like and clanking, 
and once saved the Capitol at Rome, as grave his- 
torians assert: the hiss also of the gander is for- 
midable and full of menace, and “ protective of his 
young.” Among ducks the distinction of voice is 
remarkable; for while the quack of the female is 
loud and sonorous, the voice of the drake is inward, 
and harsh, and feeble, and scarce discernible. ‘The 
cock turkey struts and gobbles to the hen in a most 
uncouth manner ; he hath also a pert and petulant 
note when he attacks his adversary. When a hen 
turkey leads forth her young brood, she keeps a 
watchful eye; and if a bird of prey appear, though 
ever so high in the air, the careful mother announ- 
ces the enemy with a little inward moan, and 
watches him with a steady and attentive look ; but 
if he approach, her note becomes earnest and 
alarming, and her outcries are redoubled. 
No inhabitants of a yard seem possessed of such 
@ variety of expression and so copious a language 
as common poultry. Take a chicken of four or 
five days old, and hold it up to a window where 
there are flies, and it will immediately seize its prey 
