356 Wright, Early Records of the Wild Turkey. [jfife 



borders of the prairies, where in July it almost uniformly bears a 

 great profusion of beautiful blossoms, which are white, fringed with 

 red on their margins. These are subsequently followed by a 

 luxuriant crop of small peas, of which the wild turkies are extremely 

 fond, from whence their name. ..." 



Shortly after, 1818, H. R. Schoolcraft visits the Osarks. Around 

 the Great and Little North Forks of the White River, he finds that 1 

 " At the early hours in the morning, the wild turkeys appeared in 

 large flocks, with their plumage glistening in the light." When at 

 Wall-cave valley, November 13, 1818, he says "As the evening 

 approached, a flock of turkeys, coming in from the plain to the top 

 of the cliff above the cavern, flew down on to the trees directly in 

 front of us, sheltered as we were from their sight, and afforded a 

 fine opportunity for the exercise of sportsmanship." Throughout 

 the trip, turkeys suffice for many a meal, and, in one case, School- 

 craft relates the enjoyment of a " turkey-pie, with a crust of Indian 

 meal." The following year, 1819, the same author records that 2 

 " The wild turkey is still common on the bottom lands, and during 

 the heat of the day in the open post oak woods." 



In 1818, Estwick Evans observes the bald eagle and the turkey 

 in the roles of pursuer and prey. 3 " Whilst in the Missouri Terri- 

 tory, and not far from the bank of the river, a bald eagle, perched 

 upon a tall and blasted oak, attracted my attention .... Whilst 

 I was admiring the strength of his form, and the majesty of his 

 aspect, a wild turkey flew from a neighbouring tree and alighted 

 on the ground. The eagle immediately pounced upon his prey; 

 but ere he could effect his object the turkey was shot. I might too, 

 have killed the eagle, but admiration and awe prevented me. I 

 felt that he was the emblem and the inspiration of my country; 

 and at that moment, I would not, for ten thousand worlds like ours, 

 have cut a feather of his wing." In 1S20, Stephen Watts Kearny 

 in " A Narrative Account of the Council Bluff, St. Peters Military 

 Expedition" notes that they 4 "passed the Wakendaw River on 



1 Schoolcraft, H. R. Scenes and Adventures in the Semi Alpine Region of the 

 Osark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas. Phila., 1853, pp. 59, 66, 79, SO, 85, 

 98, 99, 121. 



2 Schoolcraft, H. R. A View of the Lead Mines of Missouri. New York, 1819, 

 pp. 36, 37. 



s Early Western Travels, VIII, p. 311 (orig. p. 205). 

 « Mo. Hist. Soc. Colls., Ill, 1908, p. 52. 



