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But BufTon himfelf fupplies us with a more decihVe proof N 

 againft the claim of America, by aflerting that turkies were firit 

 known in France during the reign of Francis the Ift, and in 

 England during that of Henry the Vlllth. 



As for what he advances in relation to France, it refts upon 

 a tradition which I mall have no reafon to controvert, as this 

 tradition does not fettle whence they were fo introduced. Francis 

 the 1ft, however, dying in 1547, which was but nineteen years 

 after Cortez's firft return to Spain, it is not very probable that 

 they mould have come from America. 



With regard to their being firft known in England" during 

 the reign of Henry the VI1L this depends upon the following 

 old verfe : 



Turkies, carps, hops, pickarel, and beere, 

 Came into England in one yeare.. 



Thefe old lines are certainly erroneous with regard to fome of 

 the particulars; but are generally agreed to have been made from 

 the tenth to the fifteenth year of Henry the Eighth, or from 

 1 5 19 to 1524; the lateft of which is before Cortez's firft return 

 to Spain, and confequently we muft have been fupplied with 

 thefe birds from fome other quarter than that of Mexico. It is 

 to be obferved alfo, that they are thus early called Turkies. 



I have indeed prefumed to fuggeft a ftill more early introduction 

 of turkies into England, under the name of Capons of Greafe; nor 

 is it impoflible that Fitz Steven who wrote in the time of Henry 

 the II d . alludes to them under the term of Afra Avis, which feems 

 to have formed fome part of an entertainment, during the Thir- 

 teenth Century, at a London Feaft. 



Some alfo have relied much on their not being mentioned in 

 our oldeft bills of fare; but it muft be recolle&ed that we 



have 



