CLASS II. AYES: ORDER 5. RASORES. 



247 



COCK TURKEY, 



These all avoid the old males, who attack and destroy the young, whenever they can, by reiter- 

 ated blows on the skull. But all parties travel in the same direction, and on foot, unless the dog 

 of the hunter or a river in their line of march compel them to take wing. When about to cross 

 a river they select the highest eminences, that their flight may be more sure, and in such posi- 

 tions they sometimes stay for a day or more, as if in consultation. The males upon such occa- 

 sions gobble obstreperously, strutting with extraordinary importance, as if to animate their com- 

 panions ; and the females and young assume much of the pompous air of the males, and spread 

 their tails as they move silently around. Having mounted, at length, to the tops of the highest 

 trees, the assembled multitude, at the signal note of their leader, wing their way to the opposite 

 shore. The old and fat birds, contrary to what might be expected, cross without difficulty, even 

 when the river is a mile in width ; but the wings of the young and meager, and of course those 

 of the weak, frequently fail them before they have completed their passage, when in they drop, 

 and are forced to swim for their lives, which they do cleverly enough, spreading their tails for a 

 support, closing their wings, stretching out their necks, and striking out quickly and strongly with 

 their feet. All do not succeed in such attempts, and the weaker often perish. 



The wild turkeys feed on maize, all sorts of berries, fruits, grasses, and beetles ; tadpoles, young 

 frogs, and lizards, are also occasionally found in their crops. The pecan-nut is a favorite food, and 

 so is the acorn, on which last they Iktten rapidly. About the beginning of October, while the mast 

 still hangs on the trees, they gather together in flocks, directing their course to the rich bottom- 

 lands, and are then seen in great numbers on the Ohio and Mississippi. This is the Turkey- 

 Month of the Indians. When the turkeys have arrived at the land of abundance, they disperse 

 in small promiscuous flocks of every sex and age, devouring all the mast as they advance. Thus 

 they pass the autumn and winter, becoming comparatively familiar after their journeys, and then 

 venturing near plantations and f;xrm-houses. They have been known on these occasions to enter 

 stables and corn-cribs in search of food. Numbers are killed in the winter, and are preserved in 

 a frozen state for distant markets. The beginning of March is the pairing period, for a short time 

 previous to Avhich the females separate from tlieir mates, and shun them, though the latter perti- 

 naciously follow them, gobbling loudly. The sexes roost apart, but at no great distance, so that 



