WILD TURKEY. 
85 
roost in his immediate neighbourhood, if not on the same tree, 
until they begin to lay, when they change their mode of life, in 
order to save their eggs, which the male uniformly breaks if in his 
power, that the female may not be withdrawn from the gratification 
of his desires. At this time the females shun the males during 
the greater part of the day: the latter become clumsy and careless, 
meet each other peacefully, and so entirely cease to gobble, that 
the hens are obliged to court their advances, calling loudly and 
almost continually for them. The female may then be observed 
caressing the male, and imitating his peculiar gestures, in order to 
excite his amorousness. 
The cocks, even when on the roost, sometimes strut and gobble, 
but more generally merely elevate the tail, and utter the puff, on 
which the tail and other feathers suddenly subside. On light or 
moon-shining nights, near the termination of the breeding season, 
they repeat this action, at intervals of a few 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. Rather 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 retiring, 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, secured 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 removes every one of the eggs from 
VOL. I.-Y 
