WILD TURKEY. 641 



panies varying from 10 to a 100. The females move sin- 

 gly, or accompanied by their almost independent brood, 

 who all at first shun assiduously the persecuting society 

 of the selfish male. Yet after a while, when their food 

 proves abundant, separate mixed flocks of all ages and 

 sexes often promiscuously join in the bounteous repast. 

 Their migration, very unlike that of the rapid Pigeons, 

 is made almost entirely on foot, until their progress is 

 perhaps arrested by a river. Their speed, however, is very 

 considerable, and when surprised they more commonly 

 trust to their legs than their wings, running nearly with 

 the velocity of a hound. On meeting with an impedi- 

 ment of this kind, after considerable delay, they ascend 

 to the tops of the tall trees, and at the cluck of the lead- 

 er, they launch into the air for the opposite shore. The 

 transit is a matter of little difficulty, though considerable 

 labor, for the older birds ; but the younger and less robust 

 sometimes fall short of the bank, and are either drowned 

 or attain the land by swimming. After crossing, it is 

 remarked, that they often become an easy prey to the 

 hunter, as they seem bewildered by the new country in 

 which they have arrived, or more probably are fatigued by 

 the novelty and extent of their excursion. After long 

 journeys and privations, particularly in frosty weather, 

 or while the ground is covered with snow, they are some- 

 times reduced to the necessity of making their appear- 

 ance near farm-houses, where they now and then even 

 associate with the poultry, and enter the stables and cribs 

 after grain. In this desultory and foraging manner they 

 spend the autumn and winter. 



According to the latitude, and the advancement of the 

 season, though always very early in the spring, they be- 

 gin to be actuated by the instinct of propagation. The 

 males commence their gobbling, and court the society of 

 54* 



