138 THE TURKEY. 



is in no respect superior to that of the European 

 poultry-yard.'* Crossing the tame breed with the 

 wild inhabitants of the forests, is said again to im- 

 prove them, and is often resorted to in Pennsylvania, 

 and a few of the other States. 



" This crossing often occurs in countries where 

 wild and tame turkeys are found. It is well known 

 that they will readily approach each other; and such 

 is the influence of slavery even upon the turkey, that 

 the robust inhabitant of the forest will drive his de- 

 generate kinsfolk from their own food, and from their 

 females, being generally welcomed by the latter and 

 by their owners, who well know the advantages of 

 such a connexion. The produce of this commixture 

 is much esteemed by epicures, uniting the luscious 

 obesity of the one, with the wild flavour of the other. 

 A gentleman, residing in Westchester county, New 

 York, a few years since procured a young female 

 wild turkey, in order to make the experiment of 

 crossing the breed ; but, owing to some circumstance, 

 it did not succeed, and in the ensuing spring the fe- 

 male disappeared. In the following autumn she re- 

 turned, followed by a large brood ; these were quite 

 shy, but, by a little management, they were secured 

 in a coop, and the mother allowed her liberty. She 

 remained on the farm until the succeeding spring, 

 when she again disappeared, and returned in autumn 

 with another brood. This course she has repeated 

 for several successive years.*" 



The eggs of the wild birds are frequently hatch- 

 *Bona arte. 



