232 HISTORY OF THE 



are irreguliii-, and extend over a vast expanse of country, it is 

 necessary that I should describe the manner in whicli they take 

 place. 



"•About the beginning of October, when scarcely any of the 

 seeds and fruits have yet fallen from the trees, these birds as- 

 semble in flocks, and gradually move towards the rich bottom 

 lands of the Ohio and Mississippi. The males, or, as they are 

 more commonly called, the gobblers, associate in parties of from 

 ten to a hundred, and search for food apart from the females; 

 while the latter are seen either advancing singly, each with its 

 brood of young, then about two-thirds grown, or in connection 

 witli other families, forming parties often amounting to seventy 

 or eighty individuals, all intent on shunning the old cocks, 

 which, even when the young birds have attained this size, will 

 fight with, and often destroy them by repeated blows on the 

 bead. Old and young, however, all move in the same course, 

 and on foot, unless their progress is interrupted by a river, or the 

 hunter's dog forces them to take wing. When they come upon 

 a river, they betake themselves to the highest eminences, and 

 there often remain a whole day, or sometimes two, as if for the 

 purpose of consultation. During this time the males are lieard 

 gobbling, calling and making much ado, and are seen strutting 

 about, as if to raise tlieir courage to a pitch befitting the emer- 

 gency. Even the females and young assume something of the 

 same pompous demeanor, spread out their tails, and run round 

 each other, purring loudly, and performing extravagant leaps. 

 At length, when the weather appears settled, and all around is 

 quiet, the whole party mount to the tops of the highest trees, 

 whence, at a signal, consisting of a single cluck, given by a 

 leader, the flock takes flight for the opposite shore. The old 

 and fat birds easily get over, even should the river be a mile in 

 breadth; but the younger and less robust frequently fall into 

 the water — not to be drowned, however, as might be imagined. 

 They bring their wings close to their body, spread out their tail 

 as a support, stretch forward their neck, and, striking out their 

 legs with great vigor, proceed rapidly towards the shore; on 

 approaching which, should they find it too steep for landing. 



