92 OUK DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



unless they are compelled to seek their indi- 

 vidual safety by flying from the hunter's dog, 

 or their march is impeded by a large river. 



" When about to cross a river they select 

 the highest eminences that their flight may be 

 the more certain, and here they sometimes 

 remain for a day or more, as if for the pur- 

 pose of consultation, or to be duly prepared 

 for so hazardous a voyage. During this time 

 the males gobble obstreperously and strut 

 with extraordinaiy importance, as if they 

 would animate their companions, and inspire, 

 them with the utmost degree of hardihood ; 

 the females and young also assume much of 

 the pompous air of the males, the former 

 spreading their tails and moving silently* 

 around. At length the assembled multitude 

 mount to the tops of the highest trees, whence 

 at a single note, from a leader, the whole 

 together wing their way towards the opposite 

 shore. All the old and fat ones cross without 

 difficulty, but the young, meagre, and weak, 

 often fall short of the desired landing, and 

 are forced to swim for their lives. This they 

 do dexterously enough, spreading out their 



* Audubon saj's the females purr loudly and perform extra- 

 vagant leaps. 



