TURKE VS. 283 



spread, that in some places, as, for instance, in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Black Sea,* they have nearly returned to their 

 originally wild state ; and near 

 Smyrna, such immense flocks of 

 Turkeys approach in the depth of 

 winter, that a traveller speaks of 

 purchasing four of the largest size 

 for about five shillings. 



From the journals of travellers in 

 the interior of New Holland, we learn 

 that a species of wild Turkey is, in The Turke > r - 



some places, very abundant ; the bird has been described as re- 

 sembling our Bustard, and is remarkably shy. We have heard, 

 from a highly respectable naturalist, of a singular instinct in 

 their mode of building their nests and hatching their young. 

 It is said, they collect a mass of fallen leaves together, form- 

 ing a considerable pile, in the middle of which the eggs are 

 deposited j from the particular character of the trees usually 

 found in that country, the leaves are full of moisture — conse- 

 quently, when collected, they soon heat, and the sagacious 

 bird ascertains, by some instinctive signs, the period when the 

 heat of the mass of leaves has continued long enough to hatch 

 the eggs, when the old one pulls the heap to pieces, and releas- 

 ing the brood, leads them off to the woods or plains. 



In their native wilds of North America, they herd together 

 in considerable flocks ; but, like the original inhabitants of the 

 country, the poor Indians, they are every year becoming more 

 scarce, driven from their accustomed haunts by those who have 

 taken possession of their land. Partial as these birds are to 

 Indian corn and buckwheat, they are very destructive visitors, 

 and the farmers, with reason, dread their approach, as fearful 

 devourers of their crops. 



Though on the whole friendly and sociable birds, and fond 

 of travelling together in flocks, a good deal of severe discipline 

 is exercised by the old birds, particularly the males, who seem 

 to rule over the juniors with a very strong hand. The young 

 males, called Gobblers, are compelled to live by themselves ; 

 * See ClArke's Travels, vol. ii. 



