THE TURKEYS. Leg 
most parts of Florida, north of Lake Okeechobee, with per- 
haps the exception of the Indian River region, but they have 
gradually decreased in numbers since then, and though still 
common in places where the country is wild and unsettled, 
they are rapidly disappearing from those parts, in the vicinity 
of villages and navigable waters. 
‘“One can hardly believe that the Wild Turkeys of to-day 
are of the same species as those of fifteen or twenty years ago. 
Then they were rather stupid birds, which it did not requiremuch 
skill to shoot, but now I do not know of a game-bird or mammal 
more alert or more difficult toapproach. Formerly, I have often, 
as they were sitting in trees on the banks of some stream, passed 
very near them, both in row-boats and in steamers, without 
causing them to fly, and I once, with a party of friends, ran a 
small steamer within twenty yards of a flock, which did not 
take wing until several shots had been fired at them. . 
These birds, though resident, are given to wandering a great 
deal, and do not, like the Bob Whites, become attached to any 
particular locality. At times they will remain in a favourable 
place for weeks, but they are very uncertain, and will often 
leave such a spot for no apparent reason. When they are 
molested, or when there is a scarcity of food, they will keep in 
motion most of the time during the day, and will often travel 
many miles in a few hours. 
“Wild Turkeys usually go in flocks, consisting of from two 
or three to fifteen or twenty birds, and are also occasionally 
found singly. Small flocks and single birds are more apt to 
be found now than formerly, and the large droves, consisting 
of several flocks associating together, are seldom if ever to be 
seen of late. Their favourite places of resort are woods with 
swamps in them or in their vicinity, and they always go to 
these swamps to roost or when molested. 
“These birds are polygamous, and the female takes all the 
cares and duties of incubation upon herself. The gobblers 
are very pugnacious, and will often fight fiercely for the favours 
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