68 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



large wing-feathers have a pure white spot on the 

 tip." 



"From that description, " said Jules, "I see well 

 enough that the bird has not gained by living with 

 us." 



"Nor has its flesh gained in nutritive quality, that 

 of the wild turkey being considered incomparably 

 superior. ' ' 



"It is just the opposite with the common hen," ob- 

 served Louis. ' ' Originally as small as the partridge 

 and with as little flesh, it has developed into the fat 

 poulard. ' ' 



"Such as it is," said Uncle Paul, "the domestic 

 turkey is none the less, next to the common fowl, the 

 most valuable acquisition of the poultry-yard. Let 

 us now turn our attention to it. 



"The laying of its eggs takes place in April, when 

 about twenty to a nest are laid, of a dull white with 

 reddish spots. These eggs are scarcely ever used as 

 food; not that they are bad far from it but they 

 are too precious and too few to be converted into 

 omelets. As fast as the turkey-hen lays them they 

 are gathered and kept in a basket lined with hay or 

 old rags until the time for setting. The gathering 

 of these eggs is not always easy. Faithful to her 

 wild habits, the turkey-hen does not willingly accept 

 the poultry-house nest. She steals away to lay her 

 eggs in neighboring straw-ricks, underbrush, and 

 hedges. One must watch her proceedings therefore, 

 foil her ruses, and from time to time visit her favor- 

 ite haunts. 



