THE TUEKEY. 39 



Timidity of the turkey-hen. 



to perceive the cause : her young, however, im- 

 mediately when the warning was given, skulked 

 under the bushes, the grass, or whatever else 

 seemed to offer shelter or protection. They even 

 stretched themselves at their full length on the 

 ground, and continued lying motionless, as if 

 dead. In the mean time the mother, with her 

 eyes directed upwards, continued her cries and 

 screaming, as before. On looking up, in the 

 direction in which she seemed to gaze, I disco- 

 vered a black spot just under the clouds, but was 

 unable, at first, to determine what it was: how- 

 ever, it soon appeared to be a bird of prey, 

 though at first at too great a distance to be dis- 

 tinguished. I have seen one of these animals 

 continue in this agitated state, and her whole 

 brood pinned down as it were to the ground, for 

 four hours together ; whilst their formidable foe 

 has taken his circuits, has mounted, and hovered 

 directly over their heads : at last, upon his dis- 

 appearing, the parent changed her note, and 

 sent forth another cry, which, in an instant, gave 

 life to the whole trembling tribe, and they all 

 flocked round her with expressions of pleasure, as 

 if conscious of their happy escape from danger." 

 As language can give but a faint description of 

 this maternal agitation, our artist's pencil has 

 been employed, to express it more fully. 



In the wilds of America the turkey grows to a 

 much larger size than with us. Josselyn says, 



