180 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



considerable vigor, and they increase in size and strength very 

 rapidly, provided the weather continues propitious. 



As early as the month of August, the young turkeys are quite 

 able to take care of themselves as well as fly to the tops of the 

 highest trees. Our author, from whom we have already quoted so 

 liberally, informs us that about this time " the young cocks show 

 the tuft on the breast, and begin to gobble and strut, while the 

 young hens pur and leap." 



The wild turkey, as a general habit, rears but Dne brood of a 

 season ; but if she forsakes or is driven from the nest, or the eggs 

 are destroyed by some one of her numerous enemies, she seeks her 

 mate and makes preparations for another setting. 



During the period immediately succeeding that devoted to sexual 

 enjoyment, "the males become greatly emaciated, and cease to 

 gobble, their breast-sponge becoming flat. They then separate from 

 the hens, and one might suppose that they had entirely deserted 

 their neighbors. At such seasons I have found them lying by the 

 side of a log, in some retired part of the dense woods and cane- 

 thickets, and often permitting one to approach within a few feet. 

 They are then unable to fly, but run swiftly, and to a great dis- 

 tance." 



Several weeks elapse before the gobblers entirely recover their 

 condition, when they all reassemble, old and young, males and fe- 

 males, and move off to some more favored feeding-ground. 



FOOD. 



The wild turkey is not very particular in the choice of food ; 

 but little comes amiss. They partake indiscriminately of all the 

 forest-fruits, such as nuts and berries ; also consume considerably 

 of grass, herbs, buds, seeds, &c., as well as beetles, grasshoppers, 

 tadpoles, worms, and even lizards. When feeding on the plains, 

 they feast on strawberries, dewberries, blackberries, and all similar 

 productions. 



Audubon states that they are particularly partial to the pecan- 

 nut and winter grape ; they also eat largely of the fruit of the oak 



