TURKEY'S. 175 



Last, but not least, cornea the Wild Ameri- 

 can Turkey of the " forest primeval " — in form, 

 slender and erect, of stately proportion, and 

 dignity of mien — resembling its native pursuers, 

 the chiefs of the prairie. 



It is impossible to conceive any tints more 

 glowing than those which light up the plumage 

 of this beautiful bird ; they are brilliant in the 

 extreme; a ground of brown, burnished with 

 gold, ruby, and green, which, in the sunbeam, 

 has quite a dazzling aspect. 



Unless in the peacock, I know not of such 

 exquisite hues, and in graceful bearing the Wild 

 Turkey stands alone. 



Many of the so-called wild birds sent to this 

 country are hatched from eggs laid in the bush 

 by domesticated hens, which, in accordance with 

 their habits previously mentioned, often lay at 

 great distances from home. 



The really Wild Turkeys are seldom seen in 

 Great Britain ; they never breed, if shut up, they 



