CHAPTER V 



BREAST SPONGE — SHREWDNESS 



N r ATURE has provided the old gobbler 

 with a very useful appendage. Audubon 

 calls it the ' ' breast sponge/ ' and it covers 

 the entire upper part of the breast and crop-cavity. 

 This curious arrangement consists of a thick mass 

 of cellular tissue, and its purpose is to act as a 

 reservoir to hold surplus oil or fat. It is quite 

 interesting to study its function, and it is a very 

 important one for the gobbler. This appendage 

 is not found on the hen or yearling gobbler. At 

 the beginning of the gobbling season, about 

 March 1st, this breast sponge is full of rich, sweet 

 fat, and the gobbler is plump in flesh ; but as the 

 season advances and he continues to gobble, 

 strut, and worry the hens, his plumpness is re- 

 duced, and finally the bird becomes emaciated 

 and lean. Often during the whole day he gob- 

 bles and struts about, making love to the hens, 



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