[Bristol-Birds] The Sacrifice of the Turkey

From: "Robert Biller" <earedgrebe@xxxxxxxxx>
To: bristol-birds <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:23:04 -0500
(I sent this last week but from the wrong email address for Bristol-Birds.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!)

Rob
______

We have always learned that Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey to be the
symbol of The United States of America.  But I felt it important to
include the letter Ben Franklin wrote to his daughter explaining his
decision.  Historical and fascinating.

As we eat Turkey this year, remember its noble sacrifice so we can eat
well during Thanksgiving.  Would you still eat Turkey for Thanksgiving
if it had been chosen the national symbol?  I for one am glad I don't
have to choose!

Rob Biller
Elizabethton, TN
_____________________________________________
From a letter from Ben Franklin to his daughter...

"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."
*************************************************
       BRISTOL BIRDS NET LIST
NATURE CALENDAR for NE TN / SW VA:
http://www.google.com:80/calendar/embed?src=eHlvbjQyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ

Be sure and visit the Bristol Bird Club website at:
http://bristolbirdclub.org

This is a regional birding list sponsored by the
Bristol Bird Club to facilitate communications 
between birders and bird clubs of Southwest Virginia
and Northeast Tennessee.  
--------------------------------------------------
You are subscribed to Bristol-Birds.

To unsubscribe, send an email to 
bristol-birds-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with
the one word 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
--------------------------------------------------
       Wallace Coffey, Moderator
         wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
           (423)764-****
[Bristol-Birds] The Sacrifice of the Turkey

Other related posts:
