114 
THE WILD TURKEY. 
every now and then, to take a long journey. 
When they are abundant in any particular 
part of the forest, one turkey brings the news 
of it to the rest, and the whole flock set off 
on an excursion there. They travel on foot ; 
and get over the ground very fast with their 
long straggling legs. But sometimes they 
have to cross a river in their way, and this is 
rather an undertaking. There seems a great 
bustle among them, and a consultation takes 
place as to the best means of proceeding. The 
old birds gives themselves airs, and strut 
about, making a gobbling noise, as if they were 
telling the rest not to be afraid. And the 
young ones begin to strut about as well, and 
to boast O^f thek courage; although they take 
good care to keep at a distance from the tur- 
key-cocks, who have an unpleasant habit of 
knocking them on the head and killing them. 
At length, they all fly up to the top of the 
highest tree, and wait there, until one who is 
the leader gives a signal, and then the whole 
flock take wing. As the river is often more 
than a mile wide, it is rather a fatigiiing 
flight for them. The old ones manage it 
pretty well, but the young ones get tired, 
