184 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
sounded above the various cries they uttered, and occa- 
sionally one wounded, but not entirely incapacitated 
from escaping, would drop to the ground and the 
rapid “ pats” of its swiftly moving feet could be heard 
upon the dead leaves as it ran quickly from the scene. 
The roost, however, was very extensive and continued a 
long way up the cafion, and the birds not in the imme- 
diate vicinity did not desert their posts. Picking up the 
dead birds, a few of which were quite a heavy enough 
load for two men, we were glad when we could transfer 
them from our own backs to those of our horses, which 
were waiting for us about half a mile away. This Tur- 
key is very strong upon the wing, rises without difficulty, 
ad continues its flight frequently for long distances. 
It alights either upon the ground or in the trees, but if 
the former, runs with great speed until a place of con- 
cealment is gained. While not uncommon in the dis- 
tricts named within our limits, this species is much more 
numerous in Mexico, where it goes as far south as Vera 
Cruz. The hen attends solely to the hatching of the 
eggs and rearing of the young, hiding them away from 
the male, who cannot be trusted either with them or a 
knowledge of their location. The nest is a depression in 
the ground, lined with grass, weeds, and leaves, and care- 
fully concealed amid bushes or grass. The eggs are 
creamy white, finely and thickly dotted with reddish 
brown. The food of this bird consists of acorns and 
various nuts that are found in those southern latitudes, 
especially those of the pinon tree, also insects of all kinds, 
and grain when it happens to be grown in the vicinity 
of their habitats. 
This Turkey was carried to some of the West Indies 
Islands early in the sixteenth century, and then to 
Europe, especially England and France, and in 1573 had 
