26 THE HIVE OF iliE BEE-IIUNTEK. 



The turkey, still in his exposed situatioD, gobbles : — 

 ou the instant the hunter raises his " call"- to his lips, 

 and gives a prolonged duck — loud and shrill ; the first 

 that could really be r-onstrued Ly the turkey into a direct 

 answer. 



The noble bird, now certain of success, fairly dances 

 ■with delight ; he starts forward, his feathers and neck 

 amorously playing as he advances ; now he commences 

 his " strut" — his slender body swells, the beautiful plu- 

 mage of his breast unfolds itself — his neck curves, draw- 

 ing the neck downward — the wattles grow scarlet, while 

 the skin that covers the head changes like rainbow 

 tints. The long feathers of the wings brush the ground, 

 the tail rises and opens into a semicircle, the gorgeously 

 colored head becomes beautifully relieved in its centre. 



On he comes, with a hitching gait, glowing in the 

 sunshine with purple and gold. 



The siren cluck is twice repeated ; he contracts his 

 form to the smallest dimensions ; upwards rises the 

 head to the highest point ; he stands upon his very toes, 

 and looks suspiciously around ; fifty yards of distance 

 protects him from the bolt of death : he even condes- 

 cends to pick about. 



What a trial for the expectant hunter ! how vividly 

 does he recollect that one breath too much has spoiled 

 a morning's work ! 



The minutes wear on, and the bird again becomes 

 the nailer ; he gobbles, opens his form, and, when fully 



