444 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



their bodies appeared in the gathering darkness like 

 enormous black fruits outlined sharply against the 

 glowing western sky. 



"When it became thoroughly dark we cautiously ap- 

 proached the trees and took a stand almost under one 

 containing several birds. They were perched two or 

 three feet apart, so that only one could be shot at a 

 time. 



"As we knew the old fellows were very wary, we 

 held our guns in readiness as soon as we came within 

 range, and prepared to shoot at the first sign of alarm. 

 I sent my companion to the next tree, and told him 

 to give a low whistle when he was ready. I held my 

 lo-bore gun leveled at one of the birds, and it began 

 to feel very heavy before the signal was given. When 

 it finally came I fired both barrels in quick succession, 

 and was much gratified an instant later to hear a crash- 

 ing noise among the branches as two fine old gobblers 

 came tumbling down, landing before me with a loud 

 thump. Instantly heavy wing strokes could be heard 

 in all directions as the frightened birds left their 

 perches. My companion had also made successful right 

 and left shots into his tree. After some search we 

 each located and killed another turkey, after which 

 no more could be found. We then gathered the big 

 birds together, swung them well out of reach of prowl- 

 ing coyotes or mountain lions, and started for camp. 

 When about a quarter of a mile from the roost I 

 saw by the dim moonlight a turkey form among 

 the branches of a big pine. A chance shot was 



