596 



AVES — WILD TURKEY. 



however, perish in the attempt. It is observed that, after these journeys, the 

 turkeys are so familiar, that they fearlessly enter the plantations in search 

 of food. Great numbers are killed at this time, and kept in a frozen state 

 to be sent to distant markets. 



They begin to build in April ; the nest is very simple in construction, being 

 only composed of a few dried leaves. The female lays sometimes twenty, 

 but more usually nine or fifteen eggs, which are white, spotted with brown. 

 Wild turkeys are very tenacious of their feeding grounds, as well as of the 

 trees on which they have once roosted. Flocks have been knowij to resort 

 to one spot for a succession of years, and to return after a distant emigration 

 in search of food. They roost on a point of land jutting into a river where 

 there are large trees in great numbers. When they are all quiet for the 

 night, they are very easily shot; and an experienced hunter may secure near- 

 ly the whole tlock, as the turkeys, fancying themselves secure when at 

 roost, are not alarmed by either the sportsman or his gun. 



The flesh of the wild turkey is of excellent flavor, being more delicate and 

 juicy than that of the domestic turkey; the Indians value it so highly, that 

 they term it, when roasted, "the white man's dish." 



The male of the wild turkey is nearly four feet in length ; the female is 

 only three feet and a quarter long. The plumage of the male is very bril- 

 liant, and of a variety of hues ; that of the female is not as beautiful. When 

 strutting abroad and displaying himself, this bird has a very stately and 

 .handsome appearance, and appears to be quite sensible of the admiration he 

 excites, 



A new species, called the ocellated turkey, has been discovered in Hondu- 

 ras, which is of a smaller size and of more brilliant plumage than the turkey 

 ©f the United States. It has small ocellated spots on the tail. 



