BIRDS. 255 
In the county of Norfolk the breeding of Turkeys, which 
is there a considerable branch of trade, is brought to 
great perfection ; and some weighing upwards of twenty 
pounds each have been raised there. They appear to 
have a natural antipathy to everything of a red colour. 
Though extremely prone to quarrel among themselves, 
they are, in general, weak and cowardly against other 
animals, and are seen to fly from almost every creature 
that will venture to oppose them. On the contrary, they 
pursue everything that appears to dread them, parti- 
cularly small dogs and children ; and after having made 
these objects of their aversion scamper, they evince their 
pride and satisfaction by displaying their plumage, 
strutting about among their female train, and uttering 
their peculiar note of self-approbation. Some instances, 
however, have occurred, in which the Turkey-cock has 
exhibited a considerable share of courage and prowess ; 
as will appear from the following anecdote : A gentleman 
of New York received from a distant part a Turkey-cock 
and hen, and with them a pair of bantams ; which were 
put all together into the yard with his other poultry. 
Some time afterward, as he was feeding them from the 
barn-door, a large hawk suddenly turned the corner of 
the barn, and made a pounce at the bantam hen : she im- 
mediately gave the alarm, by a noise which is natural to 
her on such occasions ; when the Turkey-cock, who was 
at the distance of about two yards, and without doubt 
understood the hawk's intention, flew at the tyrant with 
such violence, and gave him so severe a stroke with his 
spurs, as to knock him from the hen to a considerable 
distance ; by which means the bantam was rescued from 
destruction. 
The wild Turkey-cock is, in the American forests, an 
object of considerable interest. It perches on the tops 
of the deciduous cypress and magnolias. 
