96 
WILD TURKEY. 
the figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a 
Turkey. For in truth the Turkey is, in comparison, a much more 
respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. 
Eagles have been found in all countries, but the Turkey was 
peculiar to ours. He is, besides, (though a little vain and silly, ? tis 
true, but not the worse emblem for that,) a bird of courage, and 
would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, 
who should presume to invade his farm-yard with a red coat on.” 
But, since the choleric temper and vanity of the Tame Turkey 
are proverbial in various languages, in some of which its very 
name is opprobrious, and often applied in derision to vainglorious 
and stupid people, we are better satisfied that its effigy was not 
placed in the escutcheon of the United States. 
Those who have not observed the Turkey in its wild state, have 
only seen its deteriorated progeny, which are greatly inferior in size 
and beauty. So far from having gained by the care of man, and 
the abundance of food accessible in its state of domestication, this 
bird has degenerated not only in Europe and Asia, but, what is 
certainly extraordinary, even in its native country. The domes¬ 
ticated Turkey of America, accustomed as it is to roam in the 
woods and open fields almost without restraint, is in no respect 
superior to that of the European poultry-yard. I have, however, 
seen several very beautiful ones from Lancaster county, Pennsyl¬ 
vania, and Sussex county, New-Jersey, that were said to be a cross¬ 
breed between the wild cock and tame hen. 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 will drive his degenerate 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 
