102 TURKEYS. 



dread tlieir approach, as fearful devourers of their 

 crops. 



Though on the whole, friendly and sociable birds, 

 and fond of travelling' together in flocks, a good 

 deal of severe discipline is exercised by the old birds, 

 particularly the males, who seem to rule over the 

 juniors with a very strong hand. The young males, 

 called Gobblers, are compelled to live by themselves; 

 for if they venture to approach their seniors, they 

 are sure of being severely punished; and many are 

 killed on the spot by repeated blows on the skull. 

 They frequently meet with great difficulties in their 

 journey ings, in consequence of rivers stopping their 

 progress. In this case, they seem to hold a council; 

 the old males strut about, and gobble loudly, while 

 the hens and young males spread out their tails, and 

 make the most of their figures. At last, as if by 

 common consent, they mount the highest trees, from 

 whence, at a particular signal from a leader, away 

 they launch themselves. If, as is often the case, 

 the river is wide, these short-winged, heavy-bodied 

 travellers perish in great numbers. The strong, old, 

 and healthy, generally accomplish their object, while 

 the weak and tender, falling short, are hurried 

 down the stream; but they do not, in this perilous 

 predicament, lose their presence of mind, for, 

 spreading out their tails as a sail, they close their 

 wings, stretch out their necks, and strike out boldly 

 for the shore. 



There can be no doubt, that our European stocks 

 of tame Turkeys, are descendants of these wild 

 Americans, and yet it is remarkable that, train and 

 keep them as long as you please, the wild Turkey 



