146 HISTORY OF 



and must be carefully fed with curd chopped 

 with dock leaves ; but as they grow older, they 

 become more hardy, and follow the mother to 

 considerable distances, in pursuit of insect food, 

 which they prefer to any other. On these occa- 

 sions, however, the female, though so large, and as 

 it would seem so powerful a bird, gives them but 

 Very little protection against the attacks of any 

 rapacious animal that comes in her way. She 

 rather warns her young to shift for themselves, 

 than prepares to defend them. " I have heard," 

 says the Abbe la Pluche, " a turkey-hen, when 

 at the head of her brood, send forth the most 

 hideous scream, without knowing as yet the 

 cause; however, her young, immediately when 

 the warning was given, skulked under the bushes, 

 the grass, or whatever else offered for shelter or 

 protection. They even stretched themselves 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 

 before. 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 : 



