WILD TURKEY. 
641 
panies varying from 10 to a 100. The females move sin- 
gly, or accompanied by their almost independent brood, 
who all at first shun assiduously the persecuting society 
of the selfish male. Yet after a while, when their food 
proves abundant, separate mixed flocks of all ages and 
sexes often promiscuously join in the bounteous repast. 
Their migration, very unlike that of the rapid Pigeons, 
is made almost entirely on foot, until their progress is 
perhaps arrested by a river. Their speed, however, is very 
considerable, and when surprised they more commonly 
trust to their legs than their wings, running nearly with 
the velocity of a hound. On meeting with an impedi- 
ment of this kind, after considerable delay, they ascend 
to the tops of the tall trees, and at the cluck of the lead- 
er, they launch into the air for the opposite shore. The 
transit is a matter of little difficulty, though considerable 
labor, for the older birds ; but the younger and less robust 
sometimes fall short of the bank, and are either drowned 
or attain the land by swimming. After crossing, it is 
remarked, that they often become an easy prey to the 
hunter, as they seem bewildered by the new country in 
which they have arrived, or more probably are fatigued by 
the novelty and extent of their excursion. After long 
journeys and privations, particularly in frosty weather, 
or while the ground is covered with snow, they are some- 
times reduced to the necessity of making their appear- 
ance near farm-houses, where they now and then even 
associate with the poultry, and enter the stables and cribs 
after grain. In this desultory and foraging manner they 
spend the autumn and winter. 
According to the latitude, and the advancement of the 
season, though always very early in the spring, they be- 
gin to be actuated by the instinct of propagation. The 
males commence their gobbling, and court the society of 
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