EASTEBN TURKEY 339 



Fall. — Turkeys are not migratory, in the strict sense of the word, 

 but they are much given to extensive wanderings, mainly in the fall 

 and winter, in search of food, which varies in abundance from one 

 season to another. Audubon (1840) writes: 



About the beginning of October, when scarcely any of tlie seeds and fruits 

 have yet fallen from the trees, these birds assemble 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 from 

 10 to 100, 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 connexion with other families, forming parties often amounting 

 to 70 or 80 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 head. Old and young, however, all move in the same 

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

 hunter's dog force 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 heard gobbling, calling, and making much ado, and are seen 

 strutting about, as if to raise their courage to a pitch befitting the emergency. 

 Even the females and young assume something of the same pompous demeanour, 

 spread out their tails, and run around each other, purring loudly, and per- 

 forming extravagant leaps. At length, when the weather appears settled, and 

 all around is quiet, the whole party mounts 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 young 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 vigour, pro- 

 ceed rapidly towards the shore; on approaching which, should they find it too 

 steep for landing, they cease their exertions for a few moments, float down the 

 stream until they come to an accessible part, and by a violent effort generally 

 extricate themselves from the water. It is remarkable, that immediately 

 after thus crossing a large stream, they ramble about for some time, as if 

 bewildered. In this state, they fall an easy prey to the hunter. 



Winter. — During winter, when the snow is too deep or soft to 

 travel on the ground, turkeys often remain in the trees for long 

 periods, subsisting on buds and what fruits, nuts, and berries they 

 can find above the snow. They are great travelers, however, in light 

 or on hard snow. When hard pressed for food they sometimes ven- 

 ture into farmyards or grain fields, or along roadsides or railroad 

 tracks where grain has been spilled. At such times they can be 

 easily baited by scattering corn in such places. 



