194 Tue Birps Asout Us. 
and if it does, always remains close to the prairie, never retiring into 
the depths of the forest. 
“They lay their eggs on the open prairie in a tuft of grass or by the 
foot of a small hillock, nesting early in the spring, and laying from 
twelve to fourteen eggs. . . . They first appear in coveys or broods 
about the middle of August. . . . About the middle of September 
and on into October they begin to pack; first two or three coveys get 
together, then flock joins flock, until they gradually accumulate into 
hundreds. On the first appearance of snow they begin to perch, 
settling on high, dead pine-trees, the dead branches being a favorite 
locality.” 
The Wild Turkey, that in the seventeenth century 
was common and in the eighteenth abundant, has in 
this nineteenth been exterminated over the greater 
portion of its original range. West of the Missis- 
sippi it is yet found, but as we approach the Rocky 
Mountain region another species takes its place. Dr. 
Warren reports that it is still found in Pennsylvania, 
but at scattered points, and they will soon be rooted 
out even from them. He says also, that people have 
expressed to him the view that some of the so-called 
wild turkeys are domestic birds that have wandered 
off and become ‘as wild and cunning as the typical 
Meleagris gallopavo which in former years was abun- 
dant.” There is excellent reason for believing that 
this is quite true, for it is well known that the birds 
are both given to wandering and to great cunning in 
concealing their nests and eggs. 
Of the pigeons and doves of the United States, the 
Passenger-pigeon of the country eastward, and well 
remembered by many people, is the most interesting ; 
but comparing what we read with what we see nowa- 
days, it is quite evident that this bird, like the turkey, 
