THE TURKEr. 95 



about the middle of April, •when they forsake 

 the male, and look out for suitable places in 

 which to deposit their eggs. Several hens 

 sometimes associate together and make a 

 common nest, incubating together as if for 

 mutual safety, and rearing and watching over 

 their united broods in common. The chosen 

 spot is always dry and well concealed; for the 

 lynx, the fox, the polecat, and the crow are 

 enemies to be guarded against ; the nest con- 

 sists of dried leaves deposited in a shallow 

 depression under the cover of dense brush- 

 wood, amidst piled up logs or masses of fallen 

 timber, or in other obscure and retired situa- 

 tions. The eggs, from nine to fifteen in num- 

 ber, are of a whitish colour, spotted with red- 

 dish brown. 



On leaving her nest the female cautiously 

 covers the eggs with dried leaves, lest they 

 should catch the prying eye of some marauder, 

 and both on leaving them, and in returning, 

 she varies her route, rarely pursuing the same 

 track twice together. On the approach of man, 

 or any animal, the female crouches closer on 

 her eggs, watching every movement with the 

 greatest attention, and if no notice be taken 

 of her will permit a very close approximation ; 



