174 
MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO. 
hopes of shooting them, he soon finds that all pursuit 
is vain. 
In the spring, when the males are much emaciated 
by their attendance on the females, it sometimes may 
happen that, in cleared countries, they can be overtaken 
by a swift cur-dog, when they will squat, and suffer 
themselves to be caught by the dog, or hunter, who 
follows on horseback. But from the knowledge we 
have gained of this bird, we do not hesitate to affirm, 
that the manner of running down turkeys, like hares 
or foxes, so much talked of, is a mere fable, as such a 
sport would be attended with very trifling success. A 
turkey hound will sometimes lead his master several 
miles, before he can a second time flush the same indi- 
vidual from his concealment; and even on a fleet horse, 
after following one for hours, it is often found impossible 
to put it up . During a fall of melting snow, turkeys 
will travel extraordinary distances, and are often pur- 
sued in vain by any description of hunters ; they have 
then a long, straddling manner of running, very easy 
to themselves, but which few animals can equal. This 
disposition for running, during rains, or humid weather, 
is common to all gallinaceous birds. 
The males are frequently decoyed within gunshot, 
in the breeding season, by forcibly drawing the air 
through one of the wing bones of the turkey, producing 
a sound very similar to the voice of the female; but the 
performer on this simple instrument must commit no 
error, for turkeys are quick of hearing, and, when 
frequently alarmed, are wary and cunning. Some of 
these will answer to the call without advancing a step, 
and thus defeat the speculations of the hunter, who 
must avoid making any movement, inasmuch as a single 
glance of a turkey may defeat his hopes of decoying 
them. By imitating the cry of the barred owl, ( Strix 
nebulosa ,) the hunter discovers many on their roosts, 
as they will reply by a gobble to every repetition of 
this sound, and can thus be approached with certainty, 
about daylight, and easily killed. 
Wild turkeys are very tenacious of their feeding 
