134 THE TURKEY. 



the road ; but on alighting, in hopes of shooting? 

 them, he soon finds that all pursuit is vain. 



" In the spring, when the males are much ema- 

 tiated by their attendance on the females, it some 

 limes may happen that, in cleared countries, they 

 can be overtaken by a swift cur dog, when they will 

 squat, and suffer themselves to be caught by the dog 

 or hunter, who follows on horseback. But from the 

 knowledge we have gained of this bird, we do not 

 hesitate to affirm, that the manner of running down 

 turkeys, like hares or foxes, so much talked of, is a 

 mere fable, as such a sport would be attended with 

 very trifling success. A turkey hound will some- 

 times lead his master several miles, before he can a 

 second time jlusk the same individual frona his con- 

 cealment ; and even on a fleet horse, after following 

 one for hours, it is often found impossible to put it 

 up. During a fall of melting snow, turkeys will tra- 

 vel extraordinary distances, and are often pursued in 

 vain by any description of hunters ; they have then a 

 long straddling manner of running, very easy to 

 themselves, but which few animals can equal. This 

 disposition for running, during rains or humid wea- 

 ther, is common to all gallinaceous birds. 



" The males are frequently decoyed within gun- 

 shot, in the breeding season, by forcibly drawing the 

 *ir through one of the wing bones, producing a sound 

 very similar to the voice of the female ; but the per- 

 former on this simple instrument must commit no 

 iwror, for turkeys are quick of hearing, and, when 



