THE POULTRY KIND. 9*. 



selves at their full length upon the ground, and continued lying as 

 motionless as if they were dead. In the mean time the mother, with 

 her eyes directed upwards, continued her cries and screaming as be- 

 fore. Upon looking up to where she seemed to gaze, I discovered a 

 black spot just under the clouds, but was unable at first to determine 

 what it was ; however, it soon appeared to be a bird of prey, though 

 at first at too great a distance to be distinguished. I have seen one 

 of these animals continue in this violent, agitated state, and her whole 

 brood pinned down as it were to the ground, for four hours together, 

 whilst their formidable foe has taken his circuits, has mounted, and 

 hovered directly over their heads : at last, upon disappearing, the pa- 

 rent began to change her note, and sent forth another cry, which in 

 an instant gave life to the whole trembling tribe, and they all flocked 

 round her with expressions of pleasure, as if conscious of their happy 

 escape from danger." 



When once grown up, turkeys are very hardy birds, and feed them- 

 selves at very little expense to the farmer. Those of Norfolk are said 

 to be the largest of this kingdom, weighing from twenty to thirty 

 pounds. There are places, however, in the East Indies, where they 

 are known only in their domestic state, in which they grow to the 

 weight of sixty pounds 



CHAPTER V 



THE PHEASANT 



IT would surprise a sportsman to be told that the pheasant, which 

 he finds wild in the woods, in the remotest parts of the kingdom, and 

 in forests which can scarce be said to have an owner, is a foreign bird, 

 and was at first artificially propagated amongst us. They were brought 

 into Europe from the banks of the Phasis, a river of Colchis, in Asia 

 Minor, and whence they still retain their name. 



Next to the peacock, they are the most beautiful of birds, as well 

 for the vivid colour of their plumes, as for their happy mixtures and 

 variety. It is far beyond the power of the pencil to draw any thing 

 so glossy, so bright, or points so finely blending into each other. We 

 are told that when Crossus, king of Lydia, was seated on his throne, 

 adorned with royal magnificence, and all the barbarous pomp of East- 

 ern splendour, he asked Solon if he had ever beheld any thing so 

 line ? The Greek philosopher, no way moved by the objects before 

 him, or taking a pride in his native simplicity, replied, that after hav 

 ing seen the beautiful plumage of the pheasant, he could be astonish 

 ed at no other finery. 



In fact nothing can satisfy the eye with a greater variety and rich 

 ness of ornament than this beautiful creature. The iris of the eye is 

 yellow, and the eyes themselves are surrounded with a scarlet colour 



