134 
THE TURKEY. 
the road ; but on alighting, in hopes of shooting 
them, he soon finds that all pursuit is vain. 
“ In the spring, when the males are much ema- 
ciated by their attendance on the females, it some - 
times may happen that, in cleared countries, they 
can be overtaken by a swift cur dog, when they will 
squat, and suffer themselves to be caught by the dog 
or hunter, who follows on horseback. But from the 
knowledge we have gained of this bird, we do not 
hesitate to affirm, that the manner of running down 
turkeys, like hares or foxes, so much talked of, is a 
mere fable, as such a sport would be attended with 
very trifling success. A turkey hound will some- 
times lead his master several miles, before he can a 
second time flush the same individual from his con- 
cealment ; anil even on a fleet horse, after following 
one for hours, it is often found impossible to pul it 
up. During a fall of melting snow, turkeys will tra- 
vel extraordinary distances, and are often pursued in 
vain by any description of hunters ; they have then a 
long straddling manner of running, very easy to 
themselves, but which few animals can equal. This 
disposition for running, during rains or humid wea- 
ther, is common to all gallinaceous birds. 
“ The males are frequently decoyed within gun- 
shot, in the breeding season, by forcibly drawing the 
air through one of the wing bones, producing a sound 
very similar to the voice of the female ; but the per- 
former on this simple instrument must commit no 
error, for turkeys are quirk of hearing, and, when 
