126 Field and Forest Rambles. 



The fowl is preserved in New Brunswick with difficulty ; 

 not so the Guinea-fowl, seemingly a hardier bird, which 

 is rather a curious circumstance when we consider the 

 native haunts of the two. But what is still more surprising 

 is the fact that the turkey chooses to roost on the bare 

 branches of trees in place of the cover of the hen-house, even 

 when the thermometer is at its lowest, just as we observe 

 it braving equatorial climates and that of India ; where, how- 

 ever, according to Mr. Blyth, it is said to deteriorate.* 

 Moreover Baird,-f an excellent authority on this subject, 

 states that the domesticated bird is descended from the so- 

 called Mexican species, and not the wild turkey of the United 

 States. This assertion is further strengthened by Leconte,J 

 who states that the latter species has never been known to 

 breed in confinement, and that the coloration of the plumage 

 of the domesticated bird and Mexican species are in many 

 respects alike, and distinct from that of the former. Be that as 

 it may, I have seen broods of turkeys like as many herons 

 perched on the topmost branches of tall trees during exceed- 

 ingly cold weather when they might have roosted in barns. 

 Indeed, farmers stated to me that when left to themselves they 

 infinitely prefer out of doors at all seasons, and usually select 

 prominent and exposed situations. 



With reference to the effects of low temperatures on plants 

 as well as animals, I well remember during my first excursion 

 into the forest in winter, there had been a heavy fall of snow, 

 and the roads were scarcely formed ; indeed, the horse in 

 several of the back settlements had to drag the sleigh at a 

 walk for miles, so that the lumber camp we were seeking was 

 not gained until sunset, when, just as we were partaking of 

 the tea and fried bacon of our hospitable entertainers, I 



* See Darwin, "Animals and Plants under Domestication," vol. ii., 

 pp. 197 and 335. 



f " Pacific Railway Report," lx., p. 617. 



% "Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Phil.," 1857, p. 179. 



