Birds and Nature, Vol. X, No 5, December 1901 — The Indignant Turkey. A True Story

THE INDIGNANT TURKEY.

A TRUE STORY.

Near the pretty town of Madison, N. J.

, a turkey hen was at one time sitting on her nest of eggs.

She knew that she must forego many a pleasant excursion about the poultry yard and through the meadows, where she and her mate had often picked up a sweet wormy meal.

As the days grew into weeks Mr. Turkey Gobbler seemed to realize it, too, and decided to put up with widowhood no longer.

So he visited a neighboring farm and enticed a good-natured lady turkey to return with him to his home.

The patient, lawful wife, hatching her eggs, could do nothing about it.

Her place was on the nest, and although doubtless her breast was ruffled with waves of jealousy, she had no means of avenging herself.

But the day of retributive justice was surely and swiftly approaching.

Hearing a great commotion in the barnyard one morning soon after the new turkey had been introduced to the fowls, the householder hurried out to investigate.

There he found a strange turkey cock thrashing with all his might of claw, wing and beak the robber of his nest and affections, after which he proudly walked off with his mate, leaving the defeated and disloyal bird to make peace as best he could with her of whom he was not worthy.

Fanny Skelton Bissell.