THE TUREET. 99 



re-union of the females with their broods and 

 of the adult males takes place, preparatory to 

 the October migration from one district to 

 another. 



Besides man, who employs traps of various 

 kinds, and the gun, in the capture of this bird, 

 the turkey has numerous enemies, of which 

 the lynx, the snowy owl, and the Virginian 

 owl, are the most formidable. The lynx 

 follows the flock, singles out stragglers, and 

 lies in ambush till an opportunity of springing 

 upon his victim occurs. The owls attack 

 them while roosting at night, and hovering 

 over the trees on silent wing, make a rapid 

 and often fatal pounce on the unconscious 

 sleeper. In this, however, the owl is not 

 always successful, for if discovered by one 

 wakeful turkey, a single cluck announces to 

 the whole flock, the presence of their foe. In 

 an instant, every bird stands upright on its 

 perch, and intently watches the motions of 

 the winged marauder, and prepares for the 

 swoop. Having selected his prey, down comes 

 the owl, with arrow-like rapidity and vast 

 force, against which positive resistance would 

 be vain, but just at the proper instant the 

 wary turkey lowers its head, and stooping, 



