MODE OF CAPTURING. 227 



commence his plans for their capture. His first proceed- 

 ing is to make a circle, on the margin of which he scatters 

 a few grains of Indian corn ; this being accomplished, he 

 sprinkles from the ring to its centre more grain. Here 

 is erected a small edifice of poles, laying sufficiently close 

 upon each other not to obstruct the light, at the same time 

 to prevent the prey from escaping when inside. Under- 

 neath the foundation of this structure a passage is cut, with 

 a gradual incline of sufficient size for the game to force it- 

 self into the cage, the incline and interior of the trap being 

 abundantly supplied with grain. This generally wary bird, 

 in his wanderings through the woods in search of food, dis- 

 covers the corn laid along the outer circle : feeding along 

 he follows it, till the line is reached which leads to the 

 trap; this he also pursues, and ultimately squeezes him- 

 self inside the cage, whence, as long as any thing remains 

 to eat, he never thinks of retiring. At length all is con- 

 sumed, when the captive raises his head for an examination 

 of his prison ; after a time he endeavors to force his way 

 through between the poles, but this is impossible, for they 

 are firmly pinned together. Restraint now makes the pris- 

 oner reckless ; headlong he dashes against the bars, till ex 

 hausted, frightened, and with disordered plumage, he re- 

 signs himself to his fate, never for an instant thinking of 

 lowering his head to seek for the spot that afforded him 

 admission. As many as a dozen wild turkeys have been 

 caught by this means at one time. Curiosity is another of 

 their besetting failings, and a knowledge of this weakness 

 in their character is often employed to bring the noble bird 

 within gunshot. While residing in Southern Illinois, I had 

 a favorite kitten, which, unless I shut it up, would invaria- 

 bly follow me into the woods when shooting. On one oc- 

 casion, with this strange shooting companion at my heels, 

 I came across deer-tracks so fresh and regular that I felt 



