CLASS II. AYES; ORDER 5, RASORES. 'Ml 
COCK TDKKBY, 
These all avoid the old males, who attack and destroy the young, whenever they can, by reiter- 
ated blows on the skull But all parties travel in the same direction, and on foot, unless the dog 
of the hunter or a river in their line of march compel them to take wing. When about to cross 
a river they select the highest eminences, that their flight may be more sure, and in such posi- 
tions they sometimes stay for a day or more, as if in consultation. The males upon such occa- 
sions gobble obstreperously, strutting with extraordinary importance, as if to animate their com- 
panions ; and the females and young assume much of the pompous air of the males, and spread 
their tails as they move silently around. Having mounted, at length, to the tops of the highest 
trees, the assembled multitude, at the signal note of their leader, wing their way to the opposite 
shore. The old and fat birds, contrary to what might be expected, cross without difficulty, even 
when the river is a mile in width ; but the wings of the young and meager, and of course those 
of the weak, frequently fail them before they have completed their passage, when in they drop, 
and are forced to swim for their lives, which they do cleverly enough, spreading their tails for a 
support, closing their wings, stretching out their necks, and striking out quickly and strongly with 
their feet. All do not succeed in such attempts, and the weaker often perish. 
The wild turkeys feed on maize, all sorts of berries, fruits, grasses, and beetles ; tadpoles, young 
frogs, and lizards, are also occasionally found in their crops. The pecan-nut is a favorite food, and 
so is the acorn, on which last they fatten rapidly. About the beginning of October, while the mast 
still hangs on the trees, they gather together in flocks, directing their course to the rich bottom- 
lands, and are then seen in great numbers on the Ohio and Mississippi. This is the Turhey- 
Monih of the Indians. When the turkeys have arrived at the land of abundance, they disperse 
in small promiscuous flocks of every sex and age, devouring all the mast as they advance. Thus 
they pass the autumn and winter, becoming comparatively familiar after their journeys, and then 
venturing near plantations and farm-houses. They have been known on these occasions to enter 
stables and corn-cribs in search of food. Numbers are killed in the winter, and are preserved in 
a frozen state for distant markets. The beginning of March is the pairing period, for a short time 
previous to which the females separate from their mates, and shun them, though the latter perti- 
naciously follow them, gobbling loudly. The sexes roost apart, but at no great distance, so that 
