
244 WILD TURKEY. 
perched on the naked branches of trees, they are easily dis- 
covered by the large owls, and, when attacked by these prowl- 
ing birds, often escape by a somewhat remarkable manceuvre. 
The owl sails around the spot to select his prey ; but notwith- 
standing the almost inaudible action of his pinions, the quick 
ear of one of the slumberers perceives the danger, which is 
immediately announced to the whole party by a chuck ; thus 
alarmed, they rise on their legs, and watch the motions of the 
owl, who, darting like an arrow, would inevitably secure the 
individual at which he aimed, did not the latter suddenly drop 
his head, squat, and spread his tail over his back ; the owl then 
glances over without inflicting any injury, at the very instant 
that the turkey suffers himself to fall headlong towards the 
earth, where he is secure from his dreaded enemy. 
On hearing the slightest noise, wild turkeys conceal them- 
selves in the grass or among shrubs, and thus frequently 
escape the hunter, or the sharp-sighted birds of prey. The 
sportsman is unable to find them during the day, unless he 
has a dog trained for the purpose. It is necessary to shoot 
them at a very short distance, since, when only wounded, they 
quickly disappear, and, accelerating their motion by a sort of 
half flight, run with so much speed, that the swiftest hunter 
cannot overtake them. The traveller driving rapidly down 
the declivity of one of the Alleghanies may sometimes see 
several of them before him, that evince no urgent desire to 
get out of the road; but on alighting, in hopes of shooting 
them, he soon finds that all pursuit is vain. 
In the spring, when the males are much emaciated by their 
attendance on the females, it sometimes may happen that, in 
cleared countries, they can be overtaken by a swift cur-dog, 
when they will squat, and suffer themselves to be caught by 
the dog, or hunter, who follows on horseback. But from the 
knowledge we have gained of this bird, we do not hesitate to 
affirm, that the manner of running down turkeys, like hares or 
foxes, so much talked of, is a mere fable, as such a sport would 
be attended with very trifling success. A turkey-hound will 
