LEARNING TURKEY LANGUAGE 179 



bling season. I have heard them gobble late 

 in June when they have one or two hens with 

 them, who evidently have had their nests and 

 eggs destroyed and are again associating with 

 the males. It is usual for the hen to visit the 

 gobbler every morning, staying in his company 

 only for a short time; and when she departs he 

 follows her slowly a few steps, then begins to 

 strut and gobble violently until she is out of 

 sight. He knows his complement of hens, and 

 does not cease to strut and gobble until all hens 

 come to him; he then quits gobbling and strutting 

 and steals away to feed on tender leaves, buds, and 

 grasshoppers. At such times the hunter, by pip- 

 ing seductive quavers, may tickle his vanity and 

 stir anew his passion, when he will stop in his 

 hunt for food and commence to gobble, strut, and 

 gyrate enough to exhaust your patience, but if 

 you call properly and are cool and quiet he will 

 come. 



The turkey's gobble is easily heard at a dis- 

 tance of from one to two miles if the air is still 

 and clear. 



These are the rules that apply to turkeys in 



