THE TURKEY. 3? 



Gallantry of the turkey-cock. 



united force, when the cock is rather oppressed 

 by their weight, than annoyed by their weapons. 

 There have, however, occurred instances in which 

 the turkey-cock has not been found wanting in 

 prowess : A gentleman of New York received 

 from a distance a turkey-cock and hen, and a pair 

 of bantams, which he put into his yard, with 

 other poultry. Some time after, as he was feed- 

 ing them from the barn-door, a large hawk sud- 

 denly turned the corner x>f the barn, and made a 

 pitch at the bantam hen : she immediately gave 

 the alarm, by a noise which is natural to her on 

 such occasions ; when the turkey-cock, who was 

 at the distance of about two yards, and, no doubt, 

 understood the hawk's intentions, and the immi- 

 nent danger of his old acquaintance, flew at the 

 tyrant with such violence, and gave him so se- 

 vere a stroke with his spurs, when about to seize 

 his prey, as to knock him from the hen to a con- 

 siderable distance ; and the timely aid of this 

 faithful auxiliary completely saved the bantam 

 from being devoured. 



Another anecdote (though very different in its 

 nature) is recorded of the gallantry of the turkey- 

 cock ; which also affords a singular example of 

 deviation from instinct. In May, 1798, a fe- 

 male turkey, belonging to a gentleman in Swe- 

 den, was sitting upon eggs ; and as the cock, in 

 her absence, began to appear uneasy and deject- 

 ed, he was put into the place with her. He im- 

 mediately sat down by her side ; and it was soon 



