116 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



fowl should trace her to her retirement, and bring her back to 

 the nest prepared for her. 



The time when the hen turkey lays is usually morning. 

 Some lay daily ; others only every second day. The number 

 of eggs laid is commonly from fifteen to twenty ; but this varies 

 with the age of the bird, a hen of mature age laying more and 

 larger eggs than one of a year old. When the turkeys are to 

 be let out in the morning, you may examine the hens, and keep 

 in such as are about to lay. This precaution will, of course, 

 prevent the loss of a single egg. While the hen is laying, the 

 cock should be kept from her, as he would ill-treat her and 

 break the eggs. The eggs should be taken away as soon as 

 laid, lest they might be broken, through the awkwardness of 

 the hen, or sucked by vermin. They will keep till the hens 

 are done laying, if put in a basket and hung up in a dry place. 

 It is unnecessary to keep the eggs belonging to each hen in a 

 separate place. The turkey is not troubled with any very 

 exclusive feelings, or, rather, her disposition overflows with an 

 excess of maternal love ; for she will rear a clutch belonging 

 to another quite as carefully as if they were her own, and will, 

 also, if required, hatch the eggs of ducks, geese, or common 

 fowl. In the second laying the eggs are fewer in number, sel- 

 dom exceeding from ten to thirteen ; and, on this occasion, extra 

 care is requisite. 



The turkey hen is a most persevering sitter ; and when her 

 eggs are taken away, she would sit upon stones, if she could 

 not procure the eggs of another bird, and would perish before 

 quitting the nest. Eggs should, therefore, be left with her, 

 not only to tranquillize her, but because sitting upon eggs 

 fatigues her less than sitting upon an empty nest ; but these 

 eggs must be marked, in order to distinguish them from those 

 the poor bird continues to lay ; for any eggs that seem to her 

 to be slow of hatching will be abandoned, as she will quit the 



