THE WILD TURKEY. 139 



whole firm. This done, a trench, about eighteen inches in depth 

 and width, is cut under one side of the cage, into which it opens 

 slantingly and rather abruptly. It is continued on its outside to 

 some distance, so as gradually to attain the level of the surround- 

 ing ground. Over the part of this trench within the pen, and 

 close to the wall, some sticks are placed so as to form a kind of 

 bridge about a foot in breadth. 



"The trap being now finished, the owner places a quantity of 

 Indian corn in its centre, as well as in the trench, and, as he walks 

 off, drops here and there a few grains in the woods, sometimes to 

 the distance of a mile. This is repeated at every visit to the trap 

 after the turkeys have found it. Sometimes two trenches are cut, 

 in which case the trenches enter on opposite sides of the trap, and 

 are both strewn with corn. No sooner has a turkey discovered 

 the train of corn, than it communicates the circumstance to the 

 flock by a cluck, when all of them come up, and searching for the 

 grains scattered about, at length come upon the trench, which they 

 follow, squeezing themselves, one after another, through the pas- 

 sage under the bridge. In this manner the whole flock sometimes 

 enters, but more commonly six or seven only, as they are alarmed 

 by the least noise, even the cracking of a tree in frosty weather. 



"Those within, having gorged themselves, raise their heads, and 

 try to force their way through the top or sides of the pen, passing 

 and repassing on the bridge, but never, for a moment, looking 

 down, or attempting to escape through the passage by which they 

 enter. Thus they remain until the owner of the trap, arriving, 

 closes the trench and secures his captives. Dr. Sargent informs 

 us that it is usual, in his part of the country, to make these pens 

 in the corners of the worm fences." 



SHOOTING TURKEYS. 



Various plans are resorted to by huntsmen to kill turkeys, de- 

 pendent in a great measure upon the particular locality shot over. 



If the country be new and wild, and the birds abundant, as well 

 as seldom pursued, much less stratagem is necessary to approach 



