THE WILD TURKEY. 43 



female, but saw no bird of the kind. Farther eastward, I do not think they 

 are now to be found. I shall describe the manners of this bird as observed 

 in the countries where it is most abundant, and having resided for many- 

 years in Kentucky and Louisiana, may be understood as referring chiefly to 

 them. 



The Turkey is irregularly migratory, as well as irregularly gregarious. 

 With reference to the first of these circumstances, I have to state, that when- 

 ever the mast of one portion of the country happens greatly to exceed that 

 of another, the Turkeys are insensibly led toward that spot, by gradually 

 meeting in their haunts with more fruit the nearer they advance towards the 

 place where it is most plentiful. In this manner flock follows after flock, 

 until one district is entirely deserted, while another is, as it were, overflowed 

 by them. But as these migrations are irregular, and extend over a vast 

 expanse of country, it is necessary that I should describe the manner in 

 which they take place. 



About the beginning of October, when scarcely any of the seeds and fruits 

 have yet fallen from the trees, these birds assemble in flocks, and gradually 

 move towards the rich bottom lands of the Ohio and Mississippi. The 

 males, or, as they are more commonly called, the gobblers, associate in 

 parties of from ten to a hundred, and search for food apart from the females; 

 while the latter are seen either advancing singly, each with its brood of 

 young, then about two-thirds grown, or in connexion with other families, 

 forming parties often amounting to seventy or eighty individuals, all intent 

 on shunning the old cocks, which, even when the young birds have attained 

 this size, will fight with, and often destroy them by repeated blows on the 

 head. Old and young, however, all move in the same course, and on foot, 

 unless their progress be interrupted by a river, or the hunter's dog force 

 them to take wing. When they come upon a river, they betake themselves 

 to the highest eminences, and there often remain a whole day, or 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 demeanour, 

 spread out their tails, and run round each other, purring loudly, and per- 

 forming 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 



