THE WILD TURKEY. 141 



wary but still amorous swain within the deadly ambush. Another 

 artifice has also been resorted to by the doctor, to secure this wary 

 bird, by placing a tame turkey in a suitable position, with a long 

 cord attached to his leg, by pulling which the uneasy captive is 

 made to cluck from time to time, so as to attract the notice of any 

 wild ones that are known to be concealed or feeding in the imme- 

 diate vicinity ; for a gobbler, on hearing this call or cry of another, 

 instantly rushes forward to meet him, and is thus easily shot 



down. 



ENEMIES. 



The wild turkey is pursued, harassed, and preyed upon, by quad- 

 rupeds innumerable, as well as by the larger species of birds of 

 prey. The wolf, fox, lynx, cougar, opossum, and wild cat, all prowl 

 about, destroying their nests as well as their tender offspring, or, 

 lying in wait, pounce upon the full-grown birds as their lawful 

 prey. 



Audubon remarks, on this head, that "the lynx sucks their 

 eggs, and is extremely expert at seizing both young and old, 

 which he effects in the following manner: — When he has dis- 

 covered a flock of turkeys, he follows them at a distance for some 

 time, until he ascertains the direction in which they are proceed- 

 ing. He then makes a rapid circular movement, gets in advance 

 of the flock, and lays himself down in ambush until the birds 

 come up, when he springs upon one of them by a single bound 

 and secures it. While once sitting in the woods, on the banks of 

 the Wabash, I observed two large turkey-cocks on a log by the 

 river, pluming and picking themselves. I watched their move- 

 ments for a while, when, of a sudden, one of them flew across the 

 river, while I perceived the other struggling under the grasp of a 

 lynx." 



The larger species of owls, as well as hawks, are said to attack 

 and destroy the full-grown birds as well as those of a more tender 

 age. 



The lurking and noisome serpent also plunders the nest, a>id 

 secures the helpless brood when first merged into existence. 



