426 BIRDS OF THE FARM AND THE FARM- YARD. 



almost every other bird save the Pheasant. The Peacock, 

 the Turkey, and the Guinea-Fowl are destitute of these 

 marks. 



THE TURKEY. 



The Turkey is not so interesting a bird as the Cock. 

 He is neither so lively nor so courageous. His gobbling 

 is not so musical as the crowing of the Cock, nor is it 

 in any respect a sentinel sound. He resembles the Pea- 

 cock in many ways, but does not equal him in beauty. 

 But the wild Turkey is said to be in all respects more 

 beautiful than the tame one. There was formerly some 

 controversy respecting the American origin of this bird. 

 Beside the whimsical Daines Barrington, many eminent 

 naturalists supposed Africa to be its native country. Buf- 

 fon, however, eloquently supported its claims to be con- 

 sidered an American bird. C. L. Buonaparte says, the 

 first Turkey that garnished a feast in France was served 

 up at the wedding banquet of Charles the Ninth in the 

 year 1570. This was also the date of the general intro- 

 duction of the Turkey into Europe as a domestic bird. 



Dr. Franklin wrote a characteristic piece of humor on 

 the substitution of the Turkey for the Bald Eagle as the 

 emblematic representative of our country. The Bald 

 Eagle he considers a bird of bad moral character, who 

 gets his living by dishonest means. Like a robber he 

 watches the Fish Hawk, and when he has caught a fish, 

 pounces upon him and takes it away from him. Withal, 

 he is a rank coward, and permits himself to be driven out 

 of the district by the little Kingbird. He confesses, 

 therefore, that he is not displeased that the figure is not 

 recognized as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. 

 The Turkey is a more respectable bird, and a true native 

 of America. He is also, though a little vain and silly 

 (and, as the Doctor expresses it, " not the worse emblem 



