WILD TURKEY. 89 
an enemy, whom I plainly perceived was industriously making his 
subtile approaches towards them, behind the fallen trunk of a tree, 
about twenty yards from me. This cunning fellow-hunter was a 
large fat Wild Cat, or Lynx; he saw me, and at times seemed to 
watch my motions, as if determined to seize the delicious prey be¬ 
fore me; upon which I changed my object, and levelled my piece at 
him. At that instant my companion, at a distance, also discharged 
his piece, the report of which alarmed the flock of Turkeys, and 
my fellow-hunter, the Cat, sprang over the log, and trotted off.” 
These birds are guardians of each other, and the first who sees a 
Hawk or Eagle gives a note of alarm, on which all within hearing 
lie close to the ground. As they usually roost in flocks, perched 
on the naked branches of trees, they are easily discovered by the 
large Owls, and, when attacked by these prowling birds, often 
escape by a somewhat remarkable manoeuvre. The Owl sails 
around the spot to select his prey; but, notwithstanding the almost 
inaudible action of his pinions, the quick ear of one of the slum- 
berers perceives the danger, which is immediately announced to 
the whole party by a chuck; thus alarmed, they rise on their legs, 
and watch the motions of the Owl, who, darting like an arrow, 
would inevitably secure the individual at which he aimed, did not 
the latter suddenly drop his head, squat, and spread his tail over 
his back; the Owl then glances over without inflicting any injury, 
at the very instant that the Turkey suffers himself to fall headlong 
towards the earth, where he is secure from his dreaded enemy. 
On hearing the slightest noise, Wild Turkeys conceal themselves 
in the grass, or among shrubs, and thus frequently escape the 
hunter, or the sharp-sighted birds of prey. The sportsman is 
unable to find them during the day, unless he has a dog trained for 
the purpose; it is necessary to shoot them at a very short distance, 
since, when only wounded, they quickly disappear, and, accelerating 
their motion by a sort of half flight, run with so much speed, that 
VOL. I.-Z 
