174 
MELEAGRIS GAELOPAVO. 
them, he soon finds that all [ )Ul 
s# 
hopes of shooti: 
is vain. . 
In the spring, when the males are much em» cl “ .t 
by their attendance on the females, it sometimes 
happen that, in cleared countries, they cau be ovei'h 11 ^ 
by a swift cur-dog, when they will squat, and s® . ( 
themselves to be caught by the dog, or hunter, " 
follows on horseback. But from the knowledge. 
have gained of this bird, we do not hesitate to « u 
v " i ^ — < nap 
that the manner of running down turkeys, like ’'bj 
or foxes, so much talked of, is a mere fable, as s# c ^ 
sport would be attended with very trifling success ^1 
turkey hound will sometimes lead his master se '. (| jr 
miles, before he can a second time flush the same 1 
vidual from his concealment; and even on a fleet i lll .|, ; 
after following one for hours, it is often found imp®’. <S 
.... . .... r. 1 1 — 
to put it up. During a lull of melting snow, tu> ’ 
— ' • •“> 
will travel extraordinary distances, and are often ^ 
sued in vain by any description of hunters; they s 
then a long, straddling manner of running, very 
to themselves, but which few animals can equal. 
disposition for running, during rains, or humid W®* 
is common to ail gallinaceous birds. jjS 
The males are frequently decoyed within g 11 "' .ji' 
the breeding season, by forcibly drawing 
through one of the wing bones of the turkey, prO<h lt J| l e 
a ennrwl v*»rv similar to the voiee of the female: fr . .it 1 
a sound very similar to the voice of the female; 
performer on this simple instrument must com lJ,1 j jf ii 
error, for turkeys are quick of hearing, and, " ol 
frequently alarmed, are wary and cunuing. 
these will answer to the call without advancing il 
and thus defeat the speculations of the hunter. 
must avoid making any movement, inasmuch as » s jjii 
glance of a turkey may defeat his hopes of dc<' , ’^ / . ! ; 
them. By imitating the cry of the barred owl, 
nebulosa ,) the hunter discovers many on their 
0 1 
y ““V llllULtH UlSI/UTtiO iilUll | Ull # . .» *• 
as they will reply by a gobble to every repetd^p 
this souud, and can thus be approached with c ert 
about daylight, and easily killed. jiiif' 
Wild turkeys are very tenacious of their i® 
