138 
THE TURKEY. 
is in no respect superior to that of the European 
poultry-yard.” Crossing the tame breed with the 
wild inhabitants of the forests, is said again to im- 
prove them, and is often resorted to in Pennsylvania, 
and a few of the other States. 
“ This crossing often occurs in countries where 
wild and tame turkeys are found. It is well known 
that they will readily approach each other; and such 
is the influence of slavery even upon the turkey, that 
the robust inhabitant of the forest null drive his de- 
generate kinsfolk from their own food, and from their 
females, being generally welcomed by the latter and 
by their owners, who well know the advantages of 
such a connexion. The produce of this commixture 
is much esteemed by epicures, uniting the luscious 
obesity of the one, with the wild flavour of the other. 
A gentleman, residing in Westchester county, New 
York, a few years since procured a young female 
wild turkey, in order to make the experiment of 
crossing the breed ; but, owing to some circumstance, 
it did not succeed, and in the ensuing spring the fe- 
male disappeared. In the following autumn she re- 
turned, followed by a large brood ; these were quite 
shy, but, by a little management, they were secured 
in a coop, and the mother allowed her liberty. She 
remained on the farm until the succeeding spring, 
when she again disappeared, and returned in autumn 
with another brood. This course she has repeated 
for several successive years.*” 
The eggs of the wild birds are frequently hatch- 
* Bonaparte. 
