94 OUR DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



farm-houses as to enter the stable and corn- 

 cribs in search of food. In this way they pass 

 the autumn and part of the winter. During 

 this season great numbers are killed by the 

 inhabitants, who preserve them in a frozen 

 state, in order to transport them to a distant 

 market." From the middle of February to 

 March, the male turkeys seek to join the 

 females, which a short time previously separate 

 from and avoid them. At this season the 

 males strut about, uttering their loud gobbling 

 notes, and often engage in desperate combats, 

 terminating in the death or flight of one of 

 the parties. At night the males and females 

 roost apart from each other, in the wood, but 

 at no great distance, so that they are within 

 the sound of each other's voices; and when 

 the female utters a call note, it is responded 

 to by numerous males, roUiug out note after 

 note, with great velocity, much in the manner 

 of the domestic turkey-cock when suddenly 

 alarmed. 



Three or four hens, or even more, are usually 

 attached to a single male ; they wander about 

 in company together, and roost in the same 

 or adjacent trees. This association continues 

 till the females begin to lay, which is usually 



