THE WILD TURKEY. 125 



the slightest token of danger, not only fleeing the presence of 

 man, but driven into precipitate flight at the very sound of his 

 voice ! 



Wet weather and low moist grounds are very detrimental to 

 the well-being of the young Turkeys; insomuch that an in- 

 clement spell, about the period of hatching, is very destructive 

 to the tender brood. The Hen mother at such seasons, doubly 

 solicitous for the preservation of her sensitive offspring, seeks 

 the high, dry grounds, and to further ward off the ill effects 

 resulting from rude exposure to rain, Audubon tells us that 

 she, with instinctive ingenuit}'-, feeds them upon the buds of the 

 Spice-wood bush. 



The young continue to nestle on the ground for two or three 

 weeks ; they are then sufficiently strong to take to the low limbs 

 of trees, where they roost under the wide-extended wings of 

 their ever-anxious parent. The plumage of the young Bird 

 grows with considerable vigor, and they increase in size and 

 strength very rapidly, provided the weather continues propi- 

 tious. 



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. About this time, our Author, from whom 

 we have already quoted so liberally, informs us that " the young 

 Cocks show the tuft on the breast, and begin to gobble and sirut^ 

 while the young Hens pur and leap." 



The Wild Turkey, as a general habit, rears but one brood of 

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

 eggs 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 distance." 



Several weeks elapse before the Gobblers entirely recover 



