248 CaboVs Observations on 



Latham says, '' How far it may be right to notice this bird 

 as distinct in species, we cannot determine, but most certainly 

 the brilUancy of colors throughout, as well as the distribution 

 of them, encourages an appearance of propriety in so doing ; as 

 we can scarcely suppose that the mere difference of climate, 

 in the warmer and colder parts of America, is sufficient to ac- 

 count for the great difference of plumage." He is undoubt- 

 edly right, and if he had seen the bird alive, even without 

 knowing any thing of its habits, the suggestion of such a 

 doubt, as having any possible foundation, would never have 

 occurred to him. 



The form, and motions of the bird are almost as distinct 

 from those of the common Turkey, as is the difference of the 

 plumage ; its form is more slender and delicate, it does not 

 strut in the manner of our turkey, its cry is very different, not 

 having the least resemblance to the gobble; it is a weak, 

 squealing sound, and occasionally a sort of yelping, or rather 

 sudden, loud, cooing sound. When they fight, which they 

 do frequently, with the domestic turkeys and other poultry, 

 they seize their antagonist by the head, with their bill, and 

 strike with their long spurs in the manner of the game cock. 

 They are a more courageous bird than the common turkey. 

 They do not go in flocks, except while the old bird has charge 

 of her young, keeping generally in pairs or singly ; and al- 

 though one may sometimes start a large number together, 

 from the same cornfield, it is merely accidental, they having 

 assembled on account of the abundance of food accumulated 

 in one spot, and when leaving the field, to go to roost, they go 

 off in pairs, or singly, and when met with in the woods, they 

 are never found in numbers together ; all which is different 

 from the habit of the common turkey, which is rarely found 

 singly, and almost, if not quite, always roosts in flocks, in cer- 

 tain roosting places,* to which the same individuals appear to 

 resort every night, unless disturbed. Their food is pretty much 

 the same as that of the common turkey, as far as the country 

 affords it ; of course they cannot eat acorns, or beech nuts, 



* Nuttall says, of the common Turkey, that " they are not gregarious, except 

 accidentally, or from the necessity of seeking food." 



