102 
TURKEYS. 
dread tlieir approach, as fearful devourers of their 
crops. 
Though on the whole, friendly and sociable birds, 
and fond 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 themselves ; 
for if they venture to approach their seniors, they 
are sure of being severely punished; and many are 
killed on the spot by repeated blows on the skull. 
They frequently meet with great difficulties in their 
journeyings, in consequence of rivers stopping their 
progress. In this case, they seem to hold a council ; 
the old males strut about, and gobble loudly, while 
the hens and young males spread out their tails, and 
make the most of their figures. At last, as if by 
common consent, they mount the highest trees, from 
whence, at a particular signal from a leader, away 
they launch themselves. If, as is often the case, 
the river is wide, these short- winged, heavy-bodied 
travellers perish in great numbers. The strong, old, 
and healthy, generally accomplish their object, while 
the weak and tender, falling short, are hurried 
down the stream ; but they do not, in this perilous 
predicament, lose their presence of mind, — for, 
spreading out their tails as a sail, they close their 
wings, stretch out their necks, and strike out boldly 
for the shore. 
There can be no doubt that our European stocks 
of tame Turkeys are descendants of these wlid 
Americans, and yet it is remarkable that, train and 
keep them as long as you please, the wild Turkey 
