e 
26 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
The turkey, still in his exposed situation, gobbles :— 
on the instant the hunter raises his “ call” to his lips, 
and gives a prolonged clwck—loud and shrill; the first 
that could really be construed by the turkey into a direct 
answer. 
The noble bird, now certain of success, fairly dances 
with delight; he starts forward, his feathers and neck 
amorously playing as he advances; now he commences 
his “ strut’’—his slender body swells, the beautiful plu- 
mage of his breast unfolds itself—his neck curves, draw- 
ing the neck downward--the wattles grow scarlet, while 
the skin that covers the head changes like rainbow 
tints. The long feathers of the wings brush the ground, 
the tail rises and opens into a semicircle, the gorgeously 
colored head becomes beautifully relieved in its centre. 
On he comes, with a hitching gait, glowing in the 
sunshine with purple and gold. 
The siren cluck is twice repeated; he contracts his 
form to the smallest dimensions; upwards rises the 
head to the highest point; he stands upon his very toes, 
and looks suspiciously around; fifty yards of distance 
protects him from the bolt of death: he even condes- 
cends to pick about. 
What a trial for the expectant hunter! how vividly 
does he recollect that one breath too much has spoiled 
a morning’s work ! 
The minutes wear on, and the bird again becomes 
the caller ; he gobbles, opens his form, and, when fully 
