VoL jf 1 ^ xn ] Wright, Early Records of the Wild Turkey. 223 



they construct their nests with such care and concealment, that few 

 instances ever occur of the eggs or young being found. Where 

 eggs have been obtained and hatched under a domestic turkey, the 

 young shew great disposition to thrive and remain about the house 

 very contentedly till their first spring, when they rise, without 

 indicating a previous talent for flying, into the air, take a few circles 

 round the heads of their old friends and make for a wilderness 

 whence they never more return." "As evening approached, I was 

 much pleased to come in view of a flock of wild turkeys. I wished 

 to have an opportunity of observing their action — the one afforded 

 me was of the best it possibly could be : they were travelling before 

 me — therefore occasioned no loss of way. The flock consisted of 

 about thirty -four, on the ground, searching for food: they were not 

 considerably alarmed till I had approached them within sixty yards. 

 They then moved on a kind of long hop and run, stopped, and as 

 we gained on them proceeded in the same way. On a nearer ap- 

 proach, they took short flights, rose above the trees, and lighted 

 upon them at intermediate spaces of about thirty rods. At every 

 rest I instructed Cuff to gobble in their manner. This act appeared 

 to attract their attention and retard their flight; and, what was of 

 more consequence, they made responses, which guided our pursuit 

 when they were obstructed from view by the thick ombrage of the 

 woods, and the fast approach of night. They finally went a more 

 considerable distance; and as I judged, to a favorite place to roost. 

 I still had the good fortune to keep in their track, and to come 

 directly on the spot they had chosen for their rest. They rose up 

 with much perturbation and noise, and again descended to rest. 

 The whole gang occupied four trees, and still they rose, fell and 

 acted with one accord. I resolved to fire on them. I had heard, 

 that whenever wild turkeys settled to roost, there they remained in 

 spite of all opposition. My motive in firing then was to ascertain 

 the fact. On the first shot they all rose with great clamour about 

 thirty yards above the summits of the trees, and as instaneously 

 descended direct upon them. On firing again, similar circum- 

 stances occurred, and at a third discharge n® variation succeeded, 

 nor did they betray the least disposition to depart effectually and 

 remove their quarters. My first discharge was with a ball, which 

 brought down a very fine bird, the two last merely powder — but I 



