No. 133. 1 167 



chase and pursuit of them, as they are the most profitable game. 

 It is well known that in our own State, New- York, we have some 

 of this valuable game left yet on our mountains, but we think 

 considerably less than the States abovenamed. In Virginia, and 

 some States west of the mountains, owing to the greater range the 

 bird has, there are considerable numbers of the pure wild turkey 

 to be found ; but as population progresses in this direction, the 

 turkey will continue his migratory travels further south and west, 

 and he will become scarce in these regions, if he is not now. The 

 •wild turkey depends more upon his feet and legs, in both travel- 

 ling and avoiding his enemies, than on his wings ; he cannot fly 

 far at a time ; he can ascend the highest trees, and does, if neces- 

 sary, to escape danger ; he relieves himself by using both alter- 

 nately, according to circumstances j no animal can run much 

 faster or longer among trees, bushes and grass. 



In writing this article, we have been obliged to use considerable 

 search in examining some of the best authors on the subject, like 

 Audubon, Wilson and Bonaparte, Nuttall and some others. The 

 tliree first named have resided some years in different parts of our 

 country, and have shewn great industry in procuring information 

 from the most authentic sources, as well as personal observation, 

 whenever possible. Audubon's work on American Ornithology 

 is now well known, not only here, but in Europe ; its great repu- 

 tation has been earned, not only by its faithful and characteristic 

 descriptions, but by the splendid and lifelike plates and drawings 

 it contains of the objects or animals described. It is truly an 

 American work, and as such should be patronized by every pub- 

 lic institution in our country that is able to purchase it. It is 

 undoubtedly a costly work, and very few individuals can afford 

 to buy it, and not every public establishment ; but those that can 

 should not hesitate a moment. It would not only be owning a 

 work of great merit, but spreading wider the good it may do; 

 Besides, it would be encouraging the American spirit and feeling 

 which got it up and brought it into existence, Wilson and Bo- 

 naparte we have obtained the greatest number of facts from, rela- 

 tive to the turkey ; we ibund them here more together, and more 

 of them, and under the same head or chapter, and in selecting 



