262 The Turkey Family 



frequently seen. These " gangs," as the farmers 

 term them, are joined by the old males — now 

 as peaceable as lambs — and the recruited flock 

 fares forward, often for long distances. When 

 very large broods of half-feathered young are seen, 

 they are good evidence that two hens have nested 

 together, which not infrequently happens with 

 both wild and tame birds. When two or more 

 " gangs " unite then is formed one of the great 

 flocks, once quite common, but now so seldom 

 seen. 



The frequently referred to migrations of these 

 strong flocks can hardly be considered a true 

 migration, although unquestionably there is a 

 more or less extended movement which occasion- 

 ally amounts to a partial migration. So far as 

 I have been able to discover, this movement is 

 not necessarily toward one point of the compass, 

 and I have known of several fair-sized flocks 

 which showed no disposition to forsake suitable 

 quarters. The fact is that a large flock requires 

 a deal of food, and the birds know enough to 

 forsake a failing section before famine threatens. 

 Being famous travellers where occasion demands, 

 they are apt to suddenly appear in some district 

 where the mast is unusually abundant, and to 

 leave it so soon as the food supply becomes 

 unreliable. 



The spectacle of a great flock crossing a broad 



