268 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
banks, as tlioiigli considering tlic difficulties of the attempt. During this time 
the males strut backwards and forwards, their ‘ fans ’ expanded, their wings 
sweeping the ground, and their throats rolling out gobble after gobble in quick 
succession, as though trying to inspire the hens and young birds with courage 
for the undertaking. Finally, when the courage of all has been wound up to the 
proper pitch, the whole flock flies up into the tops of the highest trees, where they 
sit a short time longer, stretching their necks out towards the bank they desire to 
gain, as though estimating the distance to be crossed, as well as gathering breath 
for the prolonged flight. At last, seemingly at a given signal, all take wing ; but 
in their progress across there is always a descent, and few except the strongest 
ever land much beyond the bank, the younger and feebler often falling into the 
water, — not always to perish, for they can swim a little ; but many frequently 
gain the bank, exhausted and bedraggled, only to fall a prey to some wolves or wild 
cats, who, warned by the two or three days gobbling on the opposite bank, are on 
the look-out for ^ wrecks.’ Very often the backwoods- squatter also profits by the 
•flight, for, having heard the noise, he prepares to secure a few to lard down in a 
barrel for future consumption at his wigwam. Judging, from former flights, where 
the ^ gang ’ will make his side of the stream, he lies concealed, and when the 
flight does take place, he takes advantage of the birds’ necessities, and secures ‘ a 
right smart chance of ’em.’ 
‘‘ From October to Februai’y the turkeys remain in larger or smaller companies 
together, when, as before stated, the preparations for breeding commence. 
“ The wild turkey, as an object of pursuit, is the shyest and most wary of all 
game ; even where they are plentiful and rarely hunted, the person who pursues 
them must have some knowledge of the bird and its habits to hope for success ; 
where they are scarce and have been much hunted, they become inconceivably wild 
and suspicious, and only the veteran hunter then can kill them ; young half or 
three-quarters grown birds are more easily killed.” 
In addition to those killed by the gun, a great many turkeys are caught in traps 
of various kinds. A common one is made of young trees four or five inches in 
diameter. Tv/o are laid on the ground parallel to each other, and at a distance of 
about ten feet apart. Two others are then laid across the ends of these, and at 
right angles to them. This is continued until the trap is about four feet high. 
The top is covered with similar pieces of wood, and heavy logs are laid on top of 
these, to render the whole structure steady. A trench is then made under one 
side of the trap, about eighteen inches in width and depth. The trench opens 
into the trap slantingly, and pretty abruptly. It gradually rises until it obtains 
the level of the surrounding ground. Over the portion of the trench that is 
within the pen a lot of sticks are placed, so as to make a kind of bridge a foot 
in breadth. A quantity of Indian corn is then placed in the trap, as well as in 
the trench. A few grains are dropped every step or so for a considerable distance 
from the trap. A flock of turkeys coming up, follow this train of corn, and 
searching for the grains of corn, are gradually led into the trench, where they find 
