BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
219 
where they roost, on clear, moonlight evenings is often able to secure two 
or three plump fellows for his trouble. Like our domestic Turkey, these 
birds roost on trees as high up as possible. Various contrivances are 
often adopted to lure them to their destruction. In the spring, a very 
common j^ractise is to imitate the voice of the female by drawing the air 
through one of the wing-joints, the second usually, the sound produced 
being immediately answered by the male, who ventures out of his place of 
concealment, only to be shot. The cry of the Barred Owl is also imitated 
in localities which these birds frequent at night, with the most happy 
results. A trap known as a Turkey-pen is a very common mode of cap- 
ture in some parts of the country. This is a covered enclosure, made of 
small trees of various sizes and of moderate heights. At one end 'a small 
opening is left, through which is dug a slight trench, sloping gradually 
from each extremity to the centre, and continued outwardly for a brief 
space. For a short distance from the enclosure a passage-way is con- 
structed. This, with the interior of the pen, and a narrow tract of land 
stretching into the forest, is scattered with corn. Attracted by the grain, 
the birds follow it into the enclosure, and when once there, become bewil- 
dered, or lack the intelligence necessary to make their exit. While in 
this predicament, many are captured. 
But as the love-season approaches, man abandons the amusements of 
the chase, and these severely persecuted creatures are allowed a chance to 
cultivate social relations. Early in February the males present their suits, 
but at first meet with little favor. Still they persist, until their patience 
is rewarded with success. When these amours commence, the sexes are 
dwelling apart. If a call is emitted by a perching female within hearing 
of a male, a response is returned in a voice akin to the sounds with which 
our domestic bird greets any ordinary noise. But let the female utter the 
same note Avhile on the ground, and she is soon besieged by several of her 
masculine admirers, each striving to demonstrate the sincerity of his affec- 
tion. With wide-spread, erected tails, depressed and quivering wings, and 
head gracefully poised and carried well back upon the shoulders, they 
