254 



SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



purgative effect. The most critical period of a turkey's 

 life is that at which it acquires the reddish colour 

 of the full-grown bird ; this occurs at two months old, 

 and is called " shooting the red." Nutritive food sea- 

 soned with a little cayenne pepper, is the only thing 

 that can be given to the chicks, who are now to drop 



that name, and be called poults. It may be remarked 

 that all through their feeble days the mothers are most 

 watchful protectors of the chicks ; they can discern at a 

 great height a bird of prey in the air, and immediately 

 utter a peculiar cry, to warn the young of danger ; and 

 so well is this, understood, that every chick will imme- 



