THE TURKEY 65 



the males are heard gobbling, calling, and making 

 much ado, and are seen strutting about, as if to raise 

 their courage to a pitch befitting the emergency. 

 Even the females and young assume something of the 

 same pompous demeanor, spread out their tails, and 

 run round each other, purring loudly, and perform- 

 ing extravagant leaps. At length, when the weather 

 appears settled, and all around is quiet, the whole 

 party mounts to the tops of the highest trees, whence, 

 at a signal, consisting of a single cluck, given by a 

 leader, the flock takes flight for the opposite shore. 

 The old and fat birds easily get over, even should the 

 river be a mile in breadth; but the younger and less 

 robust frequently fall into the water not to be 

 drowned, however, as might be imagined. They 

 bring their wings close to their body, spread out their 

 tail as a support, stretch forward their neck, and 

 striking out their legs with great vigor, proceed rap- 

 idly toward the shore ; on approaching which, should 

 they find it too steep for landing, they cease their 

 exertions for a few moments, float down the stream 

 until they come to an accessible part, and by a vio- 

 lent effort extricate themselves from the water. It 

 is remarkable that, immediately after thus crossing 

 a large stream, they ramble about for some time, 

 as if bewildered. In this state, they fall an easy 

 prey to the hunter. 



" ' Of the numerous enemies of the wild turkey, the 

 most formidable, excepting man, are the lynx, the 

 snowy owl, and the Virginia owl. ... As turkeys usu- 

 ally roost in flocks, on naked branches of trees, they 



