•21:2 THE TURKEY. 



lour of them is generally dark-gre} r , bordered at the 

 edge with the brightest gold. 



Hunting the turkey is one of the principal amusements 

 which the savages of that country have the means to 

 enjoy ; they form their feathers into ornamental gar- 

 ments, and sometimes they are made into umbrellas 

 and fans, whilst their flesh supplies food for themselves 

 and families when they return from the pleasures of the 

 chace. As soon as the hunter discovers the place 

 of their concealment, which is generally in fields 

 where the nettles grow to a great height, he encou- 

 rages his dog to dart in amongst them, whilst they fly 

 before their enemy with the utmost speed, who, though 

 at first he cannot overtake them, soon compels them to 

 take refuge in the neighbouring trees, from which the 

 hunter knocks them down with a long pole, with which 

 he always takes care to be provided. 



Turkies, in this country, are heavy, stupid animals, 

 that mope about without the appearance of health, 

 though the turkey-cock is allowed to be a quarrelsome 

 companion, and has a peculiar aversion to the colour 

 of red : it likewise frequently attacks both dogs and 

 children, who, if they had courage to retort, would 

 soon put him to flight j for though he is a tyrant where 

 he fancies he may conquer, he is a cozeard where there 

 is a chance of a defeat. 



The female appears of a more gentle disposition, and 

 is continually hunting in quest of insects or grain ; she 

 lays from eighteen to twenty eggs before she seems de- 

 sirous of having any young. When they are hatched, 

 they should be fed with chopped curd and dock-leaves,, 

 until they are several weeks old. 



The eye of this bird is allowed to be very penetrating f 





