The American Birds

Yesterday an eagle was sighted flying over the railway. We run along the Wisconsin River, and eagles are not all that unusual. But I still get excited when I see one.

Then on the way to work this morning, I saw a wild turkey by the side of the road. When I got closer, I saw that there were five of them -- two adults and three poults.

You may recall that during the debate over what what bird would be the national symbol of the United States, Benjamin Franklin argued -- perhaps tongue in cheek -- for the turkey. Here is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his daughter after he saw the Great Seal, which featured a poorly-drawn (in Franklin's opinion) bald eagle:

"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 & 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."

Eagles, of course, had been used already by many nations, but the eagle always looks so much more majestic while the turkey looks like ... well, a turkey.