38 NATURALIST'S CABINET 



Curious anecdote. 



found that he had taken some eggs from under 

 her, which he covered very carefully. The eggs 

 were put back, but he soon afterwards took them 

 again. This induced the owner, by way of ex- 

 periment, to have a nest made, and as many 

 eggs put in as it was thought the cock could con- 

 veniently cover. The bird seemed highly pleased 

 with this mark of confidence ; he sat with great 

 patience on the eggs, and was so attentive to the 

 care of hatching them, as scarcely to afford him- 

 self time to take the food necessary for his sup- 

 port. At the usual period, twenty-eight young 

 ones w r ere produced ; and the cock, who was, in 

 some measure, the parent of this numerous off- 

 spring, appeared perplexed on seeing so many 

 little creatures picking around him, and requir- 

 ing his care. It was, however, thought proper 

 not to entrust him with the rearing of the brood, 

 lest he should neglect them ; they were, there- 

 fore, taken away arid reared by other means. 



The female is, in general, much more mild 

 and gentle than the male. When leading out 

 her young family to collect their food, though 

 so large, and apparently so powerful a bird, she 

 gives them very little protection against the at- 

 tacks of any rapacious animal that comes in her 

 way. She rather warns them to shift for them- 

 selves, than prepares to defend them. " I have 

 heard a turkey-hen, when at the head of her 

 brood, (says the Abbe de la Pluche) send forth 

 the most hideous scream, without my being able 

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