YIELDING TO TEMPTATION. 245 



stomach on the ground, yet in such a position that the 

 weapon is at his shoulder. He seems to be as dead 

 and motionless as the tree in front of him ; and could 

 you watch him closely, you would perceive that he 

 scarcely winks, for fear of alarming the wild and 

 beautiful game. 



The turkey still in his exposed situation gobbles; 

 and on the instant the hunter raises his call to his lips, 

 and gives a prolonged cluck, loud and shrill — the first 

 that could be construed by the turkey into a direct or 

 positive answer. 



The noble bird, now feeling certain of success, fairly 

 dances with delight ; he starts forward, his feathers and 

 neck amorously playing as he advances. Now he com- 

 mences his ' strut : ' his body swells ; the beautiful 

 plumage of his breast unfolds itself; his neck curves, 

 drawing the head downwards ; the wattles assume a 

 scarlet hue, while the skin that covers the head changes 

 like rainbow tints ; the long feathers of the wing brush 

 the ground ; the tail rises and opens out into a splendid 

 semicircle, while the gorgeously-coloured head becomes 

 beautifullv relieved in its centre. 



On he comes with a hitching gait, glowing in the 

 sunshine with purple and gold. 



The siren cluck is tAvice repeated ; he contracts his 

 form to its very smallest dimensions ; upwards rises the 

 dainty head to its greatest height ; he stands upon his 

 very toes, and looks round suspiciously. Fifty yards of 



