234 GAME. 



will squat, hiding so closely as almost to allow themselves 

 to be stepped upon before taking wing. 



In October 1873 I bagged twenty-two turkeys from 

 one flock, shooting from my horse. I discovered the flock 

 in a small ravine, lired into it and drove it out into a prairie 

 on which there was but little cover. Galloping up to 

 within good range of the closely running birds, I dis- 

 charged both barrels. The turkeys flew up, but settled 

 immediately and continued to run, crowding together as if 

 for mutual protection. When nearly all had been killed, 

 the remnant ran into some high grass and squatted. I 

 kicked them up and bagged them like quail, getting all 

 but two or three of the flock. 



In Texas, many years ago, I used occasionally to 

 kill them with a stick from horseback. A flock being 

 discovered on the edge of an open prairie two or three 

 miles across, a detour was made, and the horsemen, 

 coming up from the wood, rushed with a yell at the 

 birds, frightening them so badly that some would fly to 

 the open prairie. The first flight was from 400 to 

 600 yards, depending on the weight and fatness of 

 the bird. Alighting, he ran at full speed. At the end 

 of his first flight he would probably be 200 or 300 

 yards ahead of the horseman, but this distance was 

 soon lessened after he alighted. On the near ap- 

 proach of his pursuer, he would essay another flight, 

 this time scarcely 100 or 200 yards. A third flight 

 generally finished all wing business, and his further efforts 

 at escape were confined to running and dodging. A 

 stick four feet long and as large as one's finger was 

 carried by the hunter, and, as the turkey turned to 

 avoid the horse, a smart blow on the head finished its 

 life and the race. Of course, such hunting is only 

 possible on ground especially favourable. In this way 

 I one day killed two, and a brother officer three, turkeys 

 from one flock and in one race. 



Some days after, another officer from the same post 



