Wild turkey. 17 



hound. On meeting with an impediment of this kind, after 

 considerable delay they ascend to the tops of the tall trees, 

 and at the cluck of the leader they launch into the air for the 

 opposite shore. The transit is a matter of little difficulty, 

 though considerable labor, for the older birds ; but the younger 

 and less robust sometimes fall short of the bank, and are either 

 drowned or attain the land by swimming. After crossing, it is 

 remarked that they often become an easy prey to the hunter, 

 as they seem bewildered by the new country in which they 

 have arrived, or more probably are fatigued by the novelty and 

 extent of their excursion. After long journeys and privations, 

 particularly in frosty weather or while the ground is covered 

 with snow, they are sometimes reduced to the necessity of 

 making their appearance near farm-houses, where they now 

 and then even associate with the poultry and enter the stables 

 and cribs after grain. In this desultory and foraging manner 

 they spend the autumn and winter. 



According to the latitude and the advancement of the sea- 

 son, though always very early in the spring, they begin to be 

 actuated by the instinct of propagation. The males commence 

 their gobbling and court the society of their retiring mates. 

 The sexes roost apart, but in the same vicinity, and at the yelp 

 of the female the gobbling becomes reiterated and extravagant. 

 If heard from the ground, a general rush ensues to the spot ; 

 and whether the hen appears or not, the males, thus acciden- 

 tally brought together, spread out their train, quiver and 

 depress their rigid wings, and strutting and puffing with a 

 pompous gait, often make battle, and directing their blows at 

 the head, occasionally destroy each other in a fit of jealousy. 

 As with our domestic fowls, several hens usually follow a favor- 

 ite cock, roosting in his immediate neighborhood until they 

 begin to lay, when they withdraw from his resort to save their 

 eggs, which he would destroy if discovered. The females are 

 therefore seen in his company only for a few hours in the day. 

 Soon after this period, however, the male loses his ardor, and 

 the advances of affection now become reversed, the hen seek- 

 ing out the society of her reluctant mate. In moonlight nights 



VOL. II. — 2 



