132 
THE TURKEY. 
prey, and the lynx (Felis nifa), who sucks their eggs, 
and is extremely expert at seizing both parent and 
young ; he follows them for some distance, in order 
to ascertain their course, and then, making a rapid 
circular movement, places himself in ambush before 
them, and waits until, by a single bound, he can 
fasten on his victim. 
“ The following circumstance is related by Bar- 
tram : — ‘ Having seen a flock of turkeys at some 
distance, I approached them with great caution, 
when, singling out a large cock, and being just on 
the point of firing, I observed that several young 
cocks were affrighted, and in their language warned 
the rest to be on their guard against an enemy, who 
I plainly perceived was industriously making his 
subtle approaches towards them, behind the fallen 
trunk of a tree, about twenty yards from me. This 
cunning fellow-hunter was a large fat wild cat or 
lynx ; he saw me, and at times seemed to watch my 
motions, as if determined to seize the delicious prey 
before me ; upon which I changed my object, and 
levelled my piece at him. At that instant my com- 
panion, at a distance, also discharged his piece, the 
report of which alarmed the flock of turkeyB, and 
my fellow hunter, the cat, sprang over the log, and 
trotted off.’ 
“ These birds are guardians of each other, and the 
first who sees a hawk or eagle, gives a note of alarm, 
on which all within hearing lie close to the ground. 
As they usually roost in flocks, perched on the naked 
