THE TURKEY. 367 



when the Hens require this change of air in spring, may be 

 known by their lying down on the ground, as if they were 

 unwell ; doing so immediately again, if taken up and made to 

 walk on, which apparent languor is accompanied by a lack-a- 

 daisical love-sick expression of countenance. One Christmas 

 we ate or gave away all our Turkeys, (including a magnificent 

 Stag, whose image haunts us still,) except a single Hen. The 

 above-mentioned plan was necessarily adopted; and the result 

 was, from eleven Eggs, eight Chicks so strong as almost to 

 rear themselves. The same system has been occasionally tried 

 with Fowls, and has been found not to answer. 



When the Hen has once selected a spot for her nest, she will 

 continue to lay there till tfye time of incubation, so that the 

 Eggs may be brought home from day to day, there being no 

 need of a nest Egg, as with the common Fowl. She will lay 

 from fifteen to twenty Eggs, more or less. If there are any 

 dead leaves or dry grass at hand, she will cover her Eggs with 

 these ; but if not, she will take no trouble to collect them from 

 a distance. Her determination to sit, will be known by her 

 constantly remaining on the nest, though empty ; and as it is 

 seldom in a position sufficiently secure against the weather or 

 pilferers, a nest should be prepared for her, by placing some 

 straw, with her Eggs, on the floor of a convenient out-house. 

 She should then be brought home, and gently and kindly 

 placed upon it. It is a most pleasing sight to witness the 

 satisfaction with which the bird takes to her long-lost Eggs, 

 turning them about, placing them with her bill in the most 

 suitable positions, packing the straw tightly around and under 

 them, and finally sinking upon them with the quiet joy of an- 

 ticipated maternity. 



In the south of England, from fifteen to twenty Eggs may be 

 allowed ; but with the Norfolk variety, which is the smallest, 

 and in a northern or eastern county, it is found that moderation 

 succeeds better than over-greediness of Chicks. In this case 



