130 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



of four or five inches in diameter, are cut down and divided into 

 pieces of the length of twelve or fourteen feet. Two of these 

 are laid on the ground, parallel to each other, at a distance of 

 ten or twelve feet. Two other pieces are laid across the ends 

 of these, at right angles to them ; and in this manner successive 

 layers are added, until the fabric is raised to the height of four 

 feet. It is then covered with similar pieces of wood, placed 

 three or four inches apart, and loaded with one or two heavy 

 logs to render the 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 surrounding 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, some- 

 times 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 passage 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. 

 Doctor Sargent informs us that it is usual, in his part of the 

 country, to make these pens in the corners of the worm fences." 



