THE WILD TURKEY. 
43 
female, but saw no bird of the kind. Farther eastward I do not think they 
are now to be found. I shall describe the manners of this bird as observed 
in the countries where it is most abundant, and having resided for many 
years in Kentucky and Louisiana, may be understood as referring chiefly to 
them. 
The Turkey is irregularly migratory, as well as irregularly gregarious. 
With reference to the first of these circumstances, I have to state, that when- 
ever the mast of one portion of the country happens greatly to exceed that 
of another, the Turkeys are insensibly led toward that spot, by gradually 
meeting in their haunts with more fruit the nearer they advance towards the 
place where it is most plentiful. In this manner flock follows after flock, 
until one district is entirely deserted, while another is, as it were, overflowed 
by them. But as these migrations are irregular, and extend over a vast 
expanse of country, it is necessary that I should describe the manner in 
which they take place. 
About the beginning of October, when scarcely any of the seeds and fruits 
have yet fallen from the trees, these birds assemble in flocks, and gradually 
move towards the rich bottom lands of the Ohio and Mississippi. The 
males, or, as they are more commonly called, the gobblers , associate in 
parties of from ten to a hundred, and search for food apart from the females ; 
while the latter are seen either advancing singly, each with its brood of 
young, then about two-thirds grown, or in connexion with other families, 
forming parties often amounting to seventy or eighty individuals, all intent 
on shunning the old cocks, which, even when the young birds have attained 
this size, will fight with, and often destroy them by repeated blows on the 
head. Old and young, however, all move in the same course, and on foot, 
unless their progress be interrupted by a river, or the hunter’s dog force 
them to take wing. When they come upon a river, they betake themselves 
to the highest eminences, and there often remain a whole day, or sometimes 
two, as if for the purpose of consultation. During this time the males are 
heard gobbling , calling, and making much ado, and are seen strutting about, 
as if to raise their courage to a pitch befitting the emergency. Even the 
females and young assume something of the same pompous demeanour, 
spread out their tails, and run round each other, purring loudly, and per- 
forming extravagant leaps. At length, when the weather appears settled, 
and all round is quiet, the whole party mount to the tops of the highest 
trees, whence, at a signal, consisting of a single cluck, given by a leader, the 
flock takes flight for the opposite- shore. The old and fat birds easily get 
over, even should the river be a mile in breadth ; but the younger and less 
robust frequently fall into the water, — not to be drowned, however, as might 
be imagined. They bring their wings close to their body, spread out their 
