WILD TURKEY. 
169 
Sc ; . tlle female may not be withdrawn from the grati- 
' 0n his desires. At this time the females shun 
!,, (l ^ales during the greater part of the day ; the latter 
clumsy and careless, meet each other peacefully, 
t„ * s ° entirely cease to gobble, that the hens are obliged 
0»« their advances, calling loudly and almost eonti- 
y for them. The female may then he observed 
id ® Ssil >g the male, and imitating his peculiar gestures, 
pl' er to excite his amorousness. 
4ti<l fle c °cks, even when on the roost, sometimes strut 
4||,J ? °hhle, but more generally merely elevate the tail, 
Si l( ( f| ut ter the puff, on which the tail and other feathers 
%r u.' y subside. On light or moonshining nights, 
Uiis, l " c termination of the breeding season, they repeat 
lotion, at intervals of a few minutes, for several 
p?* together, without rising from their perches. 
| 'dK*. e sexes then separate; the males, being much 
O a ted, cease entirely to gobble, retire and conceal 
Sely es by prostrate trees, in secluded parts of the 
’ 0r in the almost impenetrable privacy of a eane- 
Rather than leave their hiding places, they 
t... r themselves to be approached within a short 
»t R ! Ce - When they seek safety in their speed of foot ; 
iin„j season, however, they are of no value to the 
’ being meagre and covered with ticks. By thus 
Kdp"* using very little exercise, and feeding on 
N ,'? r grasses, they recover their flesh and strength, 
Vc,,, *«n this object is attained, again congregate, and 
.u ni ®nce their rambles. 
Ji. { 6 ° u t the middle of April, when the weather is dry, 
Vt fc ® la le selects a proper place in which to deposit 
'h secured from the encroachment of water, and, 
c Us Possible, concealed from the watchful eye of 
V "'v : this crafty bird espies the hen going to her 
V ji a "'l havinn- discovered the precious deposit, waits 
'f tt a bsence' > of the parent, and removes every one 
i'hj «ggs from the spot, that he may devour them at 
S’ ria The nest is placed on the ground, either on a 
* in the fallen top of a dead leafy tree, under 
1161 of sumach or briars, or by the side of a log: 
