290 TURKEYS. 



and near Smyrna, such immense flocks of Turkeys approach 

 in the depth of winter, that a traveller speaks of purchasing 

 four of the largest size for about five shillings. 



From the journals of travellers in the interior of New 

 Holland, we learn that a species of wild Turkey is, in some 

 places, very abundant ; the bird has been described as re- 

 sembling our Bustard, and is remarkably shy. We have 

 heard, from a highly respectable naturalist, of a singular 

 instinct in their mode of building their nests and hatching 

 their young. It is said, they collect a mass of fallen leaves 

 together, forming a considerable pile, in the middle of which 

 the eggs are deposited ; from the particular character of the 

 trees usually found in that country, the leaves are full of 

 moisture consequently, when collected, they soon heat, and 

 the sagacious bird ascertains, by some instinctive signs, the 

 period when the heat of the mass of leaves has continued 

 long enough to hatch the eggs, when the old one pulls the 

 heap to pieces, and, releasing the brood, leads them off to the 

 woods or plains. 



In their native wilds of North America, they herd together 

 in considerable flocks ; but, like the original inhabitants of the 

 country, the poor Indians, they are every year becoming more 

 scarce, driven from their accustomed haunts by those who 

 have taken possession of their land. Partial as these birds 

 are to Indian corn and buck -wheat, they are very destructive 

 visitors, and the farmers, with reason, dread their approach, 

 as fearful devourers of their crops. 



Though on the whole friendly and sociable birds, and fond 

 of travelling together in flocks, a good deal of severe discipline 

 is exercised by the old birds, particularly the males, who 

 seem to rule over the juniors with a very strong hand. The 

 young males, called Gobblers, are compelled to live by them- 

 selves ; for if they venture to approach their seniors, they are 

 sure of being severely punished ; and many are killed on the 

 spot by repeated blows on the skull. They frequently meet 

 with great difficulties in their journeyings, in consequence of 

 rivers stopping their progress. In this case they seem to 

 hold a council ; the old males strut about, and gobble loudly, 



