THE POULTRY KIND. 93 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE TURKEY 



THE natal place of the coek and peacock is p etty well ascertain- , 

 td, but there are stronger doubts concerning the turkey ; some con- 

 tending that it has been brought into Europe from the East-Indies 

 many centuries ago, while others assert that it is wholly unknown in 

 that part of the world, that it is a native of the New Continent, and 

 that it was not brought into Europe till the discovery of that part of 

 the world. 



- Those who contend for the latter opinion, very truly observe, that 

 among all the descriptions we have of eastern birds, that of the turkey 

 is not to be found ; while, on the contrary, it is very well known in the 

 New Continent, where it runs wild about the woods. It is said by them 

 to have been first seen in France, in the reign of Francis I. and in 

 England in that of Henry VIII. which is about the time when Mexi- 

 co was first conquered by Spain. On the other hand, it is asserted, 

 that the turkey, so far from being unknown in Europe before that 

 time, was known even to the ancients, and that vElian has given a 

 pretty just description of it. They allege, that its very name implies 

 its having been brought from some part of the east, and that it is 

 found, among other dainties, served up at the tables of the great, be- 

 fore that time among ourselves. But what they pretend to be the 

 strongest proof is, that though the wild turkey be so very common in 

 America, yet the natives cannot contrive to tame it ; and though 

 hatched in the ordinary manner, nothing can render it domestic. In 

 this diversity of opinions, perhaps it is best to suspend assent, till 

 more lights are thrown on the subject ; however, I am inclined to con- 

 cur with the former opinion. 



With us, when young, it is one of the tenderest of all birds ; yet, 

 in its wild state, it is found in great plenty in the forests of Canada, 

 that are covered with snow above three parts of the year. In their 

 natural woods they are found much larger than in their state of do- 

 mestic captivity. They are much more beautiful also, their feathers 

 being of a dark grey, bordered at the edges with a bright gold colour 

 These the savages of the country weave into cloaks to adorn their 

 persons, and fashion into fans and umbrellas, but never once think of 

 taking into keeping animals that the woods furnish them with in suf- 

 ficient abundance. Savage man seems to find a delight in precarious 

 possession. A great part of the pleasure of the chase lies in the un- 

 certainty of the pursuit, and he is unwilling, to abridge himself in any 

 accidental success that may attend his fatigues. The hunting the 

 turkey, therefore, makes one of his principal diversions, as its flesn 

 contributes chiefly to the support of his family. When he has disco- 

 vered the place of their retreat, which, in general, is neai fields of 

 settles, or where there is plenty of any kind of grain, he takos his Hog 



