12 WILD TURKEY. 



having heavily loaded a famous duck gun of his, placed it so as that he 

 could pull the trigger by means of a string, when quite concealed from 

 the birds. The Turkeys soon discovered the corn in the trench, and 

 quickly disposed of it, at the same time continuing t"heir ravages in the 

 fields. He filled the trench again, and one day seeing it quite black with 

 the Turkeys, whistled loudly, on which all the birds raised their heads, 

 when he pulled the trigger by the long string fastened to it. The ex- 

 plosion followed of course, and the Turkeys were seen scampering oflF in 

 all directions, in utter discomfiture and dismay. On running to the trench, 

 he found nine of them extended in it. The rest did not consider it ex- 

 pedient to visit his corn again for that season. 



During spring, Turkeys are called^ as it is termed, by drawing the air 

 in a particular way through one of the second joint bones of a wing of 

 that bird, which produces a sound resembling the voice of the female, on 

 hearing which the male comes up, and is shot. In managing this, how- 

 ever, no fault must be committed, for Turkeys are quick in distinguish- 

 ing counterfeit sounds, and when half civilized are very wary and cun- 

 ning. I have known many to answer to this kind of call, without mov- 

 ing a step, and thus entirely defeat the scheme of the hunter, who dared 

 not move from his hiding-place, lest a single glance of the gobbler's eye 

 should frustrate all further attempts to decoy him. Many are shot when 

 at roost, in this season, by answering with a rolling gobble to a sound in 

 imitation of the cry of the Barred Owl. 



But the most common method of procuring Wild Turkeys, is by means 

 of pens. These are placed in parts of the woods where Turkeys have 

 been frequently observed to roost, and are constructed in the following 

 manner. Young trees of four or five inches 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 about 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 



