182 The Natural Historic 



never be brought into the House to Roost, but perch on some 

 high Tree near it, and are always observed to seperate them- 

 selves from the tame sort, although (at the same time) they 

 Tred and breed together. There is no manner of difference 

 that I can see between the wild Turkeys and the tame, either 

 in their Shape, Gobling, Call, or Notes, only the Feathers 

 of the wild are always of a blackish shining dark Gray, that 

 in the Sun, shine like a Duck's Neck, very specious, and they 

 have thicker and larger Legs. They are a sharp sighted 

 Fowl, and excelent good Food. They feed on Acorns, Huckle- 

 berries, and several other Berries and Fruits that the Coun- 

 try produces, which makes them exceeding fat. I have been 

 credibly informed, that if one take these wild Turkey Eggs, 

 just when on the point of being hatched, and dip them (for 

 some small time) in a Bowl of Milk, or warm Water, that it 

 will take off their wild Nature, and make them as tame and 

 domestick as the others. But how true this may be, I know 

 not, never having made an Experiment that way ; neither can 

 I see any Reason to believe it ; yet I thought fit to insert it, 

 that others may try. The Indians have frequently these wild 

 Breed hatched at home, to be a Decoy to bring those that are 

 wild near their Houses, by which means they shoot many. 

 They are seldom to be met with but in the Morning and 

 Evening, for at Sun-rise they go off to feed, and at Sun-set 

 they return and perch on high Trees, and so continue all 

 Night. At any other time of the Day you shall scarce find 

 one, except it be when they are Breeding, or in Snowy 

 Weather, and then they are to be seen in great Flocks to- 

 gether. They are a wary Fowl, and seldom shot but whils": 

 they are perching on the Trees. They may be heard call or 

 gobble, at a great distance (Morning and Evening, but at no 



other 



