LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 
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cautiously towards the place, and if he can succeed 
in approaching within range before he is discovered 
by the turkeys, gets a shot or two among them. 
The probabilities of success are much height- 
ened by the use of the contrivance called the 
yelper.” This is a pipe, made of reed,— or, 
better still, of the thigh-bone of a turkey; by 
blowing through which the human breath is 
modulated so as to offer the closest imitation of 
the yelping cry of the hen-turkey. The hunter 
hides himself in a screen or thicket till he hears 
indications of the presence of the fowls ; he now 
blows his pipe, which they answer ; he suffers 
five minutes to elapse in silence, then yelps” 
again. He needs the utmost wariness, patience, 
and knowledge of the birds’ habits; sometimes the 
flock silently approach the call, without answer 
ing, and prematurely discover the delusion ; at 
other times they respond without approaching, 
as if suspecting treachery. The young males 
of the season are incautious; but old birds are 
wary, suspicious, and acute-sensed ; and to outwit 
these requires great practice and knowledge. 
The chase of the Deer is now over ; it lasts 
from the middle of September to the end of 
November, when it gives place to fox-hunting, 
and with this the planters merrily wind up the 
year. Ours is the Grey Fox {Gams Virginianus)^ 
which replaces in these regions the Red Fox 
{G, fulvus) of the north, — a handsome species, 
with fur of an iron-grey hue, becoming whitish 
on the belly, and red on the cheeks, sides, and 
legs : his brush, which is ample, is rufous grey, 
with a black line running down the middle, and 
a black tip. 
