TURKEY. 127 



time frequent the woods, and feed on acorns, and returning at night 

 to roost in the swamps, on the trees. Are frequently taken by means 

 of dogs, which they will at first outrun, but the dogs persisting in 

 the pursuit, the birds soon grow fatigued, when they take to the 

 highest trees, and will suffer themselves to be shot one after another. 

 The hen begins to lay early in the spring, but in general produces 

 only one brood in a year, which frequently amounts to sixteen or 

 seventeen, though some assert a greater number; the eggs are white, 

 two inches and a half long, marked with reddish yellow spots, 

 appearing as freckles; and it is said that the hen may be allured to 

 attempt a second brood, by putting fresh eggs under her as soon as 

 the first set are hatched ; but this covetous conduct, as may be sup- 

 posed, greatly injures the bird.* 



The male Turkey is said to break the eggs, during the time of 

 incubation, if he can by any means get at them ; but Mr. Oedman 

 gives an instance of a Turkey Cock hatching the eggs by sitting on 

 them, f 



Turkies are bred in large quantities in some of the northern 

 counties of England, and are driven up to London, towards autumn 

 for sale, in flocks of several hundreds, which are collected from 

 various cottages about Norfolk, J Suffolk, and neighbouring counties, 

 the inhabitants of which think it well worth their while, to attend 

 carefully to them, by making these birds a part of the family during 

 the breeding season. 



* They are said to have as many as three broods in a year, in the West Indies. 



f See New Stockh. Trans. Vol. x. and Phil. Mag. Vol. iii. 309. 



% It has long been a custom for the inhabitants of Norwich to send annually great 

 numbers of Turkies to London, either as presents or on purchase, and the account now 

 lying before us, is well authenticated, that in the year 1793, were sent by the coaches, be- 

 tween one Saturday morning and Sunday night, 1700 Turkies, weighing 9 tons, 2 cwt. 

 1 quarter, and 2 pounds — value supposed £680 sterling, and two days after half as many 



