TURKEYS CROSSING A EIVER. 231 



for the purpose of crossing a river, or when they have 

 been flushed by the hunter's dog. 



The crossing of a wide river is a great undertaking 

 with the turkeys ; they sometimes spend a whole day 

 on the banks of the stream, holding a high-pressure 

 parliament to consider the dangers and difficulties of 

 the attempt. The males strut about with fans spread 

 and wings brushing the ground, gobbling and calling to 

 each other, and doing all they can to inspire the hens 

 and young birds with the courage necessary for such an 

 expedition into the air. When at length they have 

 screwed up their courage to the flying point, the noisy 

 crowd adjourns to the top of the highest tree at hand, 

 where they sit for a time, stretching out their necks 

 towards the distant shore, as though they were endea- 

 vouring to estimate the distance and the length of 

 time to be occupied in crossing. At length, when all 

 seem to have gathered breath, one of the old birds gives 

 the word of command, and they all take wing. There 

 is always a descent in their flight, so that if the river 

 they are crossing be very "wide, few out of the number 

 will reach land on the opposite side without wetting 

 their feathers ; very few, however, of those that drop into 

 the water perish, for they can swim a little by spread- 

 ing their tails on the wave, and striking out with their 

 feet. When they reach shore they are so exhausted and 

 bedraggled as to be almost incapable of motion, and 

 consequently fall an easy prey to lynxes, wolves, and 



