WILD TURKEY. 
34a 
minutes, for several hours together, without rising from their 
perches. 
The sexes then separate ; the males, being much emaciated, 
cease entirely to gobble, retire and conceal themselves by 
prostrate trees, in secluded parts of the forest, or in the almost 
impenetrable privacy of a cane-brake. Kather than leave 
their hiding places, they suffer themselves to be approached 
within a short distance, when they seek safety in their speed 
of foot ; at this season, however, they are of no value to the 
hunter, being meagre and covered with ticks. By thus re- 
tiring, using very little exercise, and feeding on peculiar 
grasses, they recover their flesh and strength, and when this 
object is attained, again congregate, and recommence their 
rambles. 
About the middle of April, when the weather is dry, the 
female selects a proper place in which to deposit her eggs, se- 
cured from the encroachment of water, and, as far as possible, 
concealed from the watchful eye of the crow : this crafty bird 
espies the hen going to her nest, and having discovered the 
precious deposit, waits for the absence of the parent, and re- 
moves every one of the eggs from the spot, that he may de- 
vour them at leisure. The nest is placed on the ground, ei- 
ther on a dry ridge, in the fallen top of a dead leafy tree, un- 
der a thicket of sumach or briars, or by the side of a log ; it 
is of a very simple structure, being composed of a few dried 
leaves. In this receptacle the eggs are deposited, sometimes 
to the number of twenty, but more usually from nine to fif- 
teen ; they are whitish, spotted with reddish brown, like those 
of the domestic bird. Their manner of building, number of 
eggs, period of incubation, &c. appear to correspond through- 
out the Union, as I have received exactly similar accounts 
from the northern limits of the turkey range, to the most 
southern regions of Florida, Louisiana, and the western wilds 
of Missouri. 
The female always approaches her nest with great caution, 
varying her course so as rarely to reach it twice by the same 
