LEARNING TURKEY LANGUAGE 171 



calling, so that lie can at all times depend with a 

 degree of certainty on accomplishing his purpose 

 of fooling the bird. I was once hunting with a 

 friend, and as we sat together by White Rock 

 Creek calling an old gobbler; two or three other 

 hunters, at different points but within hearing, 

 were also calling, keeping the turkey continually 

 gobbling. My friend asked why I did not call 

 oftener, fearing the others would decoy the tur- 

 key away from us. I told him that I had already 

 put in my call and the gobbler understood it, and 

 the other fellows were calling by simply making 

 sounds with no apparent meaning or reason, and 

 when the gobbler got ready he would come to 

 us. I then took out my pipe and had a smoke. 

 Meantime the calling by the other hunters was 

 going on at a terrific rate, and the gobbler was 

 apparently tickling their ambition with his con- 

 stant rattle and strut. Ere long he came di- 

 rectly to us and we shot him. 



I have known men who, could in practice yelp 

 almost as well as the turkey, but when attempt- 

 ing to call the wild bird would do little better 

 than the veriest novice. If such persons' con- 



