ORNAMENTAL FOWL. 69 



In the south of France the white turkey is preferred, as being 

 more robust, more easily reared and fattened, and always more 

 marketable, it being said their skin is whiter, their flesh finer and 

 sweeter, while the males are larger, and the females better feeders. 

 The turkey does not come to its full size until the fifth or sixth 

 year, or not perfect plumage until the seventh. It has been as- 

 certained beyond a doubt, that a single service of the cock is suffi- 

 cient for the whole season, but there may be cases in which it has 

 been unsuccessful. 



Barley-meal, mixed with water, is the best fattening food, to 

 which add a turnip, with the leaves on, or cabbage ; in a park 

 with plenty of mast, they will get abundantly fat without other 

 food. 



It is said that vetches or tares, marrow-fat peas, and most sorts 

 of pulse are deleterious to them, which appears singular, as they 

 agree with many other fowl, pigeons, &c. The seed of the hen- 

 bane, foxglove, and hemlock, should be particularly avoided, from 

 their poisonous qualities. 



CHAPTER V. 



ORNAMENTAL FOWL. 



" How rich the peacock ! what bright glories run 

 From plume to plume, and vary in the sun ! 

 He proudly spreads them to the golden ray; 

 Gives all his colours, and adorns the day ! 

 With conscious state the spacious round displays, 

 And slowly moves, amid the waving blaze." 



THE PEA FOWL 



ARE the most gorgeous of the whole feathered tribe ; the male 

 bird is characterized by the very great development of the upper 

 tail coverts, or train, which it is enabled to raise, and spread in a 

 circle, by means of the true tail. There are two species known, 

 both inhabitants of the continent and islands of India ; and, 

 although it is so familiar to our view, as to lessen our admiration 

 of it, still it has no competitor, as being " the most splendid 

 bird." 



