The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-29

it. Like the domesticated turkey, I'M
til the pin feather age-ls~passed the wa
ter turkey is delicate and tender A
1 domestic fowl could not be tanner moi
show more affection than little Sissy
the water turkey. 1t was during a Sc
we're Illness that nest of these birds
made an impression never to be for
/ gotten. Perched on stick, the three
young birdlings were carried into the
room to be viewed from their impro-
vised perch AS I beckoned for them
to be brought closer, one of the birds
/ jumped from the stick and waddled up
it's long, slim neck and it responded
with chipping, quavering voice, sway
ing its head backward and forward, it's
soft thrilling voice sounding as sweet
and as musical as the notes from an
aeolian harp. It's body was covered
with soft downy white. The nurse took
the birds recognition as q good omen,
and it was carried with the others to
the perch outside.
The most careful attention could not
save the two, but the one survived, and
out the birding had changed from a
soft downy thing to a full-fledged bird,
with notified black and gray shining
feathers, and a fan-shaped, t1ute-edged
tail. With its yellow webbed feet and
duck-lke legs, it would waddle to
strangers as we'll as friends, it's long
snake-like neck extended and iften
with wings outstretched to aid the pro-
gress. Hunger seemed to be a chronic
state with the bird, and while the long
throat (Which by the way, could be
distended to take a good-sized fish
might be full Of unswallowed food,
Sissy would show the same eagerness
for the next bit, pleading, coaXing,
waddlng around swaying her head
and picking at the dress skirt with her
long, needle-like bill, with it's saw
edges, in such a positive manner that
the cloth would have to be cut to ex-
trcate the beak. She could catch
food thrown to her with degree of
preciseness equal to a professional ball
catcher; and having caught it, would
toss it up in the air a foot or two and
catch 1t as it descended in the position
she wished to swallow, In catching
fish or minnows she did the same, first
darling for the prey in the pool, pierre
ing the fish, then tossing in the air and
swallowing head first. The bird would
follow us all about the lawn, her little
duck legs being assisted by the out
spreading wings.
She loved the water, bathing fire.
quently, diving under until no sign of
her could be seen, when suddenly at
the other side the long, slim neck would
appear, to go out Of sight as soon, and
appear at some other place. Then out
of the water she would come, looking
like a bedrabbled chicken. She would
then arrange her plumage and would
think she was dressed" for the day,
but into the water she would go again;
then when plumed to her native taste
she would seek the perch and with ner
head under her wing, sleep the sleep of
the tired surf bather. Whatever the
water turkey may be in it's native
haGnts, domesticated, it is pugnacious
and jealous. being ready to attack the
dog, cat or the large whipping cranes.
The water turkey ranges throughout
Florida and builds it's nest on some
limb overhanging the water. The eggs
are usually three in number and white
with blush tinge. AS they sit on the
bushes along water course and are
on the approach of any OBJ
ject, they dart under the water, where
they can remain a considerable length
Of time. Looking away beyond, one
may see a snake-lille object fhoating
aziy on the surface of the water.
Little Sissy cuccumbed to the great
aw of nature-her gourmand appetite
leading to an overfeed of beef, which
caused a, sickness that lasted week. |
During this time she hid herself under
he house and refused to take any no.
ice Of any one. In her weakened state |
he cool weather affected her, and we |
one morning to find our pet |
lead.-Forest and Stream.