144 THE TURKEY. 



selves to the highest eminences, and there often remain 

 a whole day, and sometimes two, as if for the purpose 

 of consultation. During this time, the males are heard 

 gobbling, calling, and making much ado, and are seen 

 strutting about, as if to raise their courage to a pitch 

 befitting the emergency. Even the females and young 

 assume something of the same pompous demeanor, 

 spread out their tails, and run round each other, pur- 

 ring loudly, and performing extravagant leaps. At 

 length, when the weather appears settled, and all 

 around is quiet, the whole party mounts to the tops of 

 the highest trees, whence at a signal, consisting of a 

 single cluck, given by a leader, the flock takes flight 

 for the opposite shore. The old and fat birds easily 

 get over, even should the river be a mile in breadth, 

 but the younger and less robust frequently fall into 

 the water — not to be drowned, however, as might be 

 imagined ; they bring their wings close to their body, 

 spread out their tail as a support, stretch forward their 

 neck, and striking out their legs with great vigor, 

 proceed rapidly towards the shore ; on approaching 

 which, should they find it too steep for landing, they 

 cease their exertions for a few moments, float down 

 the stream until they come to an accessible part, and, 

 by a violent effort, generally extricate themselves from 

 the water. It is remarkable that, after immediately 

 crossing a large stream, they ramble about for some 

 time, as if bewildered. In this state they fall an easy 

 prey to the hunter. 



" When the turkeys arrive in parts where the mast 

 is abundant, they separate into smaller flocks, com- 

 posed of birds of all ages and both sexes, promiscuously 

 mingled, and devour all before them. This happens 

 about the middle of November. So gentle do they 

 sometimes become after these long journeys, that they 

 have been seen to approach the farm houses, associate 

 with the domestic fowls, and enter the stables and 

 corn cribs in quest of food. In this way, roaming 



