The Birds of Shakespeare 
The TURKEY-COCK, introducedinto Europe 
from the New World in the early part of 
the sixteenth century, had become quite 
naturalised in the farm-yards of England 
by the time of Elizabeth. It is several 
times alluded to by Shakespeare, sometimes 
as a symbol of conceited ostentation, 
and also as an article of food. When 
in Kine) Henry V7. Gower (sees) 5 ignal 
approaching, he exclaims to Fluellen 
“Here he comes, swelling like a tur- 
key-cock,” to which the Welshman, who 
had resolved to make the braggart eat 
the leek, ‘replies; “Tis, no \ matters ar 
his swellings nor his _ turkey-cocks.” ’ 
Not less appropriately is the comparison 
used of Malvolio, who, as Maria said, 
had been “yonder i’ the sun_ practis- 
ing behaviour to his own shadow this 
half hour.” As the three concealed 
onlookers watch him strutting down 
the walk, talking to himself, they can 
pen ie he 
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