CROPS AND PROFITS. 191 



contact with the more vagabond birds of the larger 

 farm family. The hens take the meeting philosophi- 

 cally, with a well-bred lack of surprise, and are not 

 deterred for a moment from their forage employ ; 

 perhaps, (if with a brood) giving an admonitory 

 cluck to their chicks, to keep near them, even as old 

 ladies with daughters, in a strange place, advise 

 caution, without enjoining positive non-intercourse. 



The ducks, on the contrary, in a very low-bred 

 manner, give way to a world of surprises, and gad 

 about each other, dipping their heads, and quacking, 

 and bickering, like old gossips long time apart, who 

 pour interminable scandal in each other's ears. The 

 cocks make an honest, fair fight of it, and one goes 

 home draggled, confining himself thereafter to his 

 own quarters. 



The Turkeys meet as fine ladies do, tip-toeing 

 round and round, and eyeing each other with earnest 

 scrutiny, and abundant curvetings of the neck very 

 stately, dignified, and impudent stooping to browse 

 perhaps (ladies sniff thus at vinaigrettes), as if no 

 strange fowl were near, which is merest affectation. 

 They summon their little families into close order, 

 as if fearing contagion, and eyeing each other, 

 wander apart, without a sign of companionship, or 

 a gobble of leave-taking. 



I must not forget the groups of Guinea-fowl, who 



