For my own part, I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead tree near the river, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labour of the fishing hawk; and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
With all this injustice, he is never in good case, but, like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides, he is a rank coward: the little king bird not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the king birds from our country….
I am on this account not displeased that the figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a turkey. For the truth the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America… he is besides, though a little vain & silly, 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.
Well put, Ben. Interesting to note that both of these birds went into near extinxtion during the 1900’s and both are enjoying great resurgences right now. The Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), is in great numbers here in Northwest Illinois. It is very common to see flocks of several dozen at a time. We offer exactly what they want here. A seamless blend of woodlands, crop fields, grasslands and sheltered ravines. It hard to think of them not being here. However, at the turn of last century there were no Turkeys to be found in this area due to unregulated hunting and the loss of habitat. The state of Illinois began re-introducing Turkeys into their former habitats in the late 1950’s and the first Turkey’s to be released in Northwest Illinois came during the winter of 1980, when 8 hens and 5 gobblers were let go. Amazingly, this population grew so quickly that by 1985 a hunting season was created. Today, JoDaviess county regularly tops the list in harvested birds during Turkey season.
Today, American citizens are most familiar with the domesticated Turkey that is served at Thanksgiving and most of the population is not able to observe these big birds as regularly as we do in the Driftless Area. Now we are seeing thier range expanding and someday all areas that had them at once before, will have them again.
But, what if Ben Franklin’s wish to have it as our national symbol was granted. Would the Turkey have ever been eliminated? Would the Bald Eagle’s comeback been a priority?
After 225 years since Ben Franklin’s letter to his daughter received no attention, let us celebrate the large bird that we take for granted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Turkey The Wikipedia offering
http://www.jdcf.org/guardians/field/field_n77.htm Doug Dufford’s great article about Turkeys in Jo Daviess County
