TURKEY

Domestic variation of the Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo, Dindon sauvage.

5 occurrences (1 turkey, 1 turkeys, 1 turkeycock, 1 turkey cock, 1 turkey cocks)



The Spanish introduced the Turkey in Europe immediately after the discovery of the New World. Before it was the guinea-fowl (see GUINEA-HEN) which went sometimes by this name and confusion resulted between the two species. In one instance: "The turkeys in my pannier are quite starved." (1H4 2 1 25 p), it is possible that these could be Guinea-fowls.

As HARTING has already noticed, Shakespeare committed an anachronism in introducing it in his historical plays. But this is not what matters in a literary work. Anyway it is clear from the use Shakespeare makes of this bird that it is the Turkey we are dealing with:

* "swelling like a turkey cock" (H5 5 1 15 p);

* "he jets under his advanced plumes" (TN 2 5 31 p);

* "as jealous as a turkey" (TNK 2 3 30).

This usage is registered by TILLEY (T612) as proverbial.

In Henry 5, turkey cock appears twice and peacock once, as ARMSTRONG (p. 85) puts it: "[it is] in accordance with the poet's tendency to let birds of a feather flock together and also in keeping with the flamboyant character of personalities in the play."

(see chart p. 17: Pistol-Turkey Image Cluster)