WILD TURKEY HUNTING. 21 



bright plumap;e grows dim, aii<l with a low cluck, he re- 

 sumes his search for food. 



The treasures of the American forest are before 

 him ; the choice pecan-nut is neglected for that immense 

 "grub worm" that rolls down the decayed stump, 

 too large to crawl ; now that grasshopper is. nabbed ; 

 presently a hill of ants presents itself, and the bird 

 leans over it, and, with wondering curiosity, peering 

 down the tiny hole of its entrance, out of which are is- 

 suing the industrious insects. 



Again that clack greets his ear, up rises the head 

 with lightning swiftness, the bird starts forward a pace 

 or two, looks around in wonder, and answers back. 



No sound is heard but the falling acorn; and it 

 fairly echoes, as it rattles from limb to limb, and dashes 

 oflf to the ground. 



The bird is uneasy — he picks pettishly, smooths 

 down his feathers, elevates his head slowly, and then 

 brings it to the earth ; raises his wings as if for flight, 

 jumps upon the limb of a fallen tree, looks about-, set- 

 tles down finally into a brown study, and evidently com- 

 mences thinking. 



An hour may have elapsed— he has resolved the matter 

 over ; his imagination has become inflamed ; he has 

 heard just enough to wish to hear more; he is satis- 

 fied, that no turkey-hunter uttered the sounds that 

 reached his ear, for they were too few and far bclwer.n ; 

 and then there rises up in his mind some disconsolate 



