290 
TURKEYS. 
and near Smyrna, such immense flocks of Turkeys approach 
in the depth of winter, that a traveller speaks of purchasing 
four of the largest size for about five shillings. 
From the journals of travellers in the interior of New 
Holland, we learn that a species of wild Turkey is, in some 
places, very abundant; the bird has been described as re- 
sembling our Bustard, and is remarkably shy. We have 
heard, from a highly respectable naturalist, of a singular 
instinct in their mode of building their nests and hatching 
their young. It is said, they collect a mass of fallen leaves 
together, forming a considerable pile, in the middle of which 
the eggs are deposited ; from the particular character of the 
trees usually found in that country, the leaves are full of 
moisture, consequently, when collected, they soon heat, and 
the sagacious bird ascertains, by some instinctive signs, the 
period when the heat of the mass of leaves has continued 
long enough to hatch the eggs, when the old one pulls the 
heap to pieces, and, releasing the brood, leads them off to the 
woods or plains. 
In their native wilds of North America, they herd together 
in considerable flocks, but like the original inhabitants of the 
country, the poor Indians, they are every year becoming more 
scarce ; driven from their accustomed haunts by those who 
have taken possession of their land. Partial as these birds are 
to Indian corn and buck-wheat, they are very destructive 
visitors, and the farmers, with reason, dread their approach, 
as fearful devourers of their crops. 
Though on the whole friendly and sociable birds, and fond I 
of travelling together in flocks, a good deal of severe discipline 
is exercised by the old birds, particularly the males, who 
seem to rule over the juniors with a very strong hand. The 
young males, called Gobblers, are compelled to live by them- 
selves ; for if they venture to approach their seniors, they are i 
sure of being severely punished ; and many are killed on the 
spot by repeated blows on the skull. They frequently meet i 1 
with great difficulties in their journeyings, in consequence of l|l 
rivers stopping their progress. In this case they seem to 
hold a council; the old males strut about, and gobble loudly, 
