254 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



are reared the most easily, are large, and fatten rapidly. Some turkeys 

 are of a coppery tint, others of a delicate fawn-color, others particol- 

 ored, gray, and white, and some few of a pure snowy white. All these 

 are considered inferior to the black; their color indicates something 

 like degeneracy of constitution, and they are seldom very large-sized. 



In the choice of store-birds some care is requisite; the stock should 

 be of a good sort; the black Norfolk race is an excellent sort, probably 

 produced originally by a cross with the wild breed of America. 



Early in spring, generally speaking, the female commences laying; 

 she indicates her intention by a peculiar cry, by strutting about with an 

 air of self satisfaction, and often by prying into out-of-the-way places. 

 She should now be closely watched, and some management is required 

 to induce her to lay in the place desired. 



The nest should be prepared of straw and dried leaves ; it should be 

 secluded ; and to excite her to adopt it, an og(r^ or a piece of chalk cut 

 into the form of an egg, should be placed in it. When her uneasiness 

 to lay is evident, and symptoms prove that she is ready, she should be 

 confined in the shed, barn, or place in which her nest (in a large wicker 

 basket) is prepared, and let out as soon as the egg is laid. It is gen- 

 erally in the morning that the turkey-hen lays, and mostly every other 

 day, though some lay daily, until the number of eggs amounts to fiom 

 fifteen to twenty. As the eggs are laid, it is as well to remove them 

 (leaving the decoy egg or piece of chalk) until the number is complete ; 

 as they are liable to be broken, or to be sucked by rats or weasels. 

 They may then be restored to her for incubation. The turkey-hen is a 

 steady sitter, and in this respect resembles the wild bird ; nothing will 

 induce her to leave her nest ; indeed, she often requires to be removed 

 to her food, so overpowering is her instinctive affection. She must be 

 freely supplied with water within her reach ; should she lay any eggs 

 after she has commenced incubation, these should be removed : it is 

 proper, therefore, to mai'k those which were given to her to sit upon. 

 The hen should on no account be rashly disturbed ; no one except the 

 person to whom she is accustomed, and from whom she receives her 

 food, should be allowed to go near her, and the eggs, unless circum- 

 stances imperatively require it, should not be meddled with. 



On the twenty-sixth day, according to some on whom dependence 

 may be placed (the thirty-first according to others), the chicks leave 

 the eggs. 



The treatment of the chick now requires attention. As in the case 

 of young fowls, the turkey chicks do not require food for several hours. 

 It is useless to cram them, as some do, fearing lest they should starve ; 

 and besides, the beak is as yet so tender that it runs a chance of being 

 injured by the process. When the chicks feel an inclination for food, 

 nature directs them how to pick it up. There is no occasion for alarm, 

 if for many hours they content tliomselves with the warmth of their 

 parent, and enjoy her care only. Yet some food must be provided for 

 them, and this should be, of course, suited to their nature and appetite. 

 Here, too, let the simplicity of nature be a guide. We say this, because 

 some have recommended spices, wine, and even bathing in cold water. 



The first diet ofi"ered to turkey chicks should consist of eggs boiled 



