COMMON TURKEY. 



159 



hatched, she will continue on the nest till they be 

 perfected, and will remain upwards of tv/o months 

 on the nest if permitted* She is very careful of 

 her young, but gives them very little protection 

 against the attacks of any rapacious animals that 

 come in her way, but rather gives them warning 

 of their danger than attempts to prevent it ; and 

 as soon as they are sufficiently strong she abandons 

 them entirely, and they are then able to endure 

 the utmost rigour of the winter. I have heard a 

 Turkey hen, (says the Abbe de la Pluche), when 

 at the head of her brood, send forth the most 

 hideous scream, without my being able to perceive 

 the cause ; her young ones, however, immediately 

 when the warning was given, skulked under the 

 bushes, the grass, or whatever else seemed to offer 

 shelter or protection. They even stretched them- 

 selves at full length on the ground, and continued 

 lying motionless, as if dead. In the mean time 

 the mother, with her eyes directed upv/ards, con- 

 tinued her cries and screaming as before. On 

 looking up in the direction in which she seemed 

 to gaze, I discovered a black spot just under the 

 clouds, but was unable at first to determine what 

 it was ; however, it soon appeared to be a bird of 

 prey, though at first at too great a distance to be 

 distinguished. 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~ 



