ESSAY ON REARING TURKEYS. 167 



England, as regularly as Thanksgiving. It is considered, 

 therelbre, by all experienced persons, of great moment to have 

 an early litter of eggs, the first turkey's egg being often a mat- 

 ter of as much congratulation in the family, as the first baby's 

 tooth. 



The turkey is an out-of-door bird. In this respect he re- 

 tains even in his domesticated state, that love of freedom which 

 characterizes the aborigines of our country. Turkeys have no 

 fondness for a shed or barn, as a roosting place, but in the 

 coldest weather in winter, in the severest storms of snow, sleet 

 or rain, they prefer the open air and a lofty tree on which to 

 take up lodgings for the night. Here, perched head to the 

 wind, they ride out the hardest gales in safety and with appa- 

 rent pleasure. Ttie instances are rare in which they are known 

 to perish, either from the cold or storm. Dickson, an English 

 writer, says that "it is important, during winter, that their 

 perches should not be exposed to the sweep of frosty winds, 

 which are apt to cause the feet of turkeys to freeze," and the 

 same caution is given by Dr. Bennett, in his work on poultry. 

 But such a misfortune I have never known to befall turkeys, 

 that all winter have risked themselves out on trees over night. 

 When the old hens shed their feathers late in the fall, as will 

 be the case when they have continued to lay a number of lit- 

 ters, it is well to house them in cold nights till they renew 

 their coat, and it may be prudent to do so in extremely severe 

 weather in winter. 



We will suppose now that winter is gone, and spring is be- 

 ginning to open. The notes of the robin are heard welcom- 

 ing the advent of warmer skies. As the snow melts away, 

 patches of green earth are here and there disclosed to view. 

 Your turkeys no longer hang about the barn, like so many 

 loafers, but spend most of their time in the orchard, and on the 

 sunny side of walls and buildings. The gentleman of the par- 

 ty is as full of airs as any city exquisite, perambulating hither 

 and thither, in front and at the side of his companions, more 

 intent on exciting admiration of his own person, than bestow- 

 ing it upon theirs. This species of courtship continues through- 

 out the spring, even after the hens have laid out their litters 



