MODE OF CAPTURING. 219 



being how qualities so dissimilar can be found to exist 

 together. 



As an instance, in some portions of the United 

 States where settlements are becoming daily more 

 numerous, wild turkeys still exist in considerable 

 numbers, but the sportsman who would go in their 

 pursuit with the hope of obtaining a shot, will find his 

 efforts fruitless and his labour thrown away ; but the 

 settler, more probably one of his 3 r oung children, will 

 go into the uncleared land, search till he discovers 

 evidence where turkeys frequent, and then commence 

 his plans for their capture. His first proceeding is to 

 make a circle, on the margin of which he scatters a 

 few grains of Indian corn ; this being accomplished, he 

 sprinkles from the ring to its centre more grain. 

 Here is erected a small edifice of poles, laying suffi- 

 ciently close upon each other not to obstruct the light, 

 at the same time to prevent the prey from escaping 

 when inside. Underneath the foundation of this 

 structure a passage is cut with a gradual incline of 

 sufficient size for the game to force itself into the cage, 

 the incline and interior of trap being abundantly 

 supplied with grain. This generally wary bird, in his 

 wanderings through the woods in search of food, 

 discovers the corn laid along the outer circle : feeding 

 along he follows it, till the line is reached which leads 

 to the trap ; this he also pursues, and ultimately 

 squeezes himself inside the cage, whence, as long as any 

 thing remains to eat, he never thinks of retiring. At 

 length all is consumed, when the captive raises his 

 head for an examination of his prison ; after a time 

 he endeavours to force his way through between the 

 poles, but this is impossible, for they are firmly pinned 



