194 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



and if it does, always remains close to the prairie, never retiring into 

 the depths of the forest. 



" They lay their eggs on the open prairie in a tuft of grass or by the 

 foot of a small hillock, nesting early in the spring, and laying from 

 twelve to fourteen eggs. . . . They first appear in coveys or broods 

 about the middle of August. . . . About the middle of September 

 and on into October they begin to pack ; first two or three coveys get 

 together, then flock joins flock, until they gradually accumulate into 

 hundreds. On the first appearance of snow they begin to perch, 

 settling on high, dead pine-trees, the dead branches being a favorite 

 locality." 



The Wild Turkey, that in the seventeenth century 

 was common and in the eighteenth abundant, has in 

 this nineteenth been exterminated over the greater 

 portion of its original range. West of the Missis- 

 sippi it is yet found, but as we approach the Rocky 

 Mountain region another species takes its place. Dr. 

 Warren reports that it is still found in Pennsylvania, 

 but at scattered points, and they will soon be rooted 

 out even from them. He says also, that people have 

 expressed to him the view that some of the so-called 

 wild turkeys are domestic birds that have wandered 

 off and become " as wild and cunning as the typical 

 Meleagris gallopavo which in former years was abun- 

 dant." There is excellent reason for believing that 

 this is quite true, for it is well known that the birds 

 are both given to wandering and to great cunning in 

 concealing their nests and eggs. 



Of the pigeons and doves of the United States, the 

 Passenger-pigeon of the country eastward, and well 

 remembered by many people, is the most interesting ; 

 but comparing what we read with what we see nowa- 

 days, it is quite evident that this bird, like the turkey, 



