THE TURKEY. 
133 
branches of trees, they are easily discovered by the 
large owls, and, when attacked by these prowling 
birds, often escape by a somewhat remarkable ma- 
noeuvre. The owl sails around the spot to select his 
prey ; but, notwithstanding the almost inaudible ac- 
tion of his pinions, the quick ear of one of the slum- 
berers perceives the danger, which is immediately 
announced to the whole party by a chuck; thus 
alarmed, they rise on their legs, and watch the mo- 
tions of the owl, who, darting like an arrow, would 
inevitably secure the individual at which he aimed, 
did not the latter suddenly drop his head, squat, and 
spread his tail over his back ; the owl then glances 
over without inflicting any injury, at the very instant 
that the turkey suffers himself to fall headlong to- 
wards the earth, where he is secure from his dreaded 
enemy. 
“ On hearing the slightest noise, wild turkeys con- 
ceal themselves in the grass, or among shrubs, and 
thus frequently escape the hunter, or the sharp-sighted 
birds of prey. The sportsman is unable to find them 
during the day, unless he has a dog trained for the 
purpose ; it is necessary to shoot them at a very short 
distance, since, when only wounded, they quickly 
disappear, and, accelerating their motion by a sort 
of half flight, run with so much speed, that the 
swiftest hunter cannot overtake them. The travel- 
ler, driving rapidly down the declivity of one of the 
Alleghanies, may sometimes see several of them be- 
fore him, that evince no urgent desire to get out of 
